Safety and efficacy of using vascular closure devices for hemostasis on sheath removal after a transfemoral artery percutaneous coronary intervention

Aim: To determine the efficacy of vascular closure devices (VCDs) for hemostasis following transfemoral percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Methods: This two-group pre–post-test observational study with purposive sampling enrolled 73 patients between January, 2014 and February, 2015. The patients were allocated to either the intervention (vascular closure devices group, n = 34) or the control group (manual compression [MC] group, n = 39). Questionnaires were used to assess their demographic and clinical characteristics, vascular complications, visual analogue scale score for pain, and discomfort levels. Pain and discomfort were measured before and after the PCI. Results: Vascular complications were observed in 15 (44.1%) VCD patients and 13 (33.3%) MC patients, with no significant between-group difference. However, the VCD patients had a higher relative risk of bruising, hematomas, and need for further treatment. After the PCI, the pain scores and discomfort levels increased significantly in both groups, but the VCD patients had more successful hemostasis, less pain, and less physical and psychological discomfort (lower-limb numbness, shoulder pain, restlessness, and worrying about walking ability, being unable to lift heavy objects in the future, and taking time off from work). Conclusion: The VCDs seem to be superior to the MCs, providing more successful hemostasis, less pain and discomfort, and earlier ambulation after a transfemoral PCI. These findings aid clinical nurses in understanding the risk of vascular complications, discomfort, and pain that are associated with VCD use for improving the quality of clinical care and help clinicians in determining the appropriate hemostatic method for patients undergoing a transfemoral PCI, particularly in the Chinese population.