ABSTRACT
Where possible, radial artery access is preferred for cardiac catheterization, as it is associated with greater patient comfort, earlier ambulation and increased safety and time to haemostasis. In femoral arterial and venous access, a strategy of manual compression or closure devices can be used but suboptimal haemostasis can result in prolonged hospital stay, patient discomfort, and vascular complications. Recently there has been a shift towards the use of ancillary devices to achieve haemostasis, as these permit immediate sheath removal and haemostasis and are successful in achieving haemostasis in larger sheath size access. This chapter discusses the various options for access site puncture and closure, describing the different devices available for achieving haemostasis.
