Comparative outcomes of vascular access closure methods following atrial fibrillation/flutter catheter ablation: insights from VAscular Closure for Cardiac Ablation Registry

J Interv Card Electrophysiol. 2022 Aug;64(2):301-310. doi: 10.1007/s10840-021-00981-5. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Abstract

Purpose: This registry compared the safety and efficacy of vascular closure device Perclose (PC) with figure-of-eight stitch (Fo8) and manual compression (MC) following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation/flutter.

Methods: VAscular Closure for Cardiac Ablation Registry (VACCAR) is a prospective, observational registry that assessed the time to hemostasis (TTH), time to ambulation (TTA), length of stay (LOS), complications, patient-reported outcomes, and pain medication use.

Results: A total of 434 patients (mean age 64.0±11.0 years; 38% female; 94.9% white) were enrolled between October 2017 and May 2019: 156 in MC, 203 in Fo8, and 75 in the PC group. Median TTH was significantly reduced in the PC and Fo8 group at 7 and 9 min respectively vs. the MC group at 20 min (p<0.001). Median TTA was significantly reduced in both the PC and Fo8 group at 2.2 h vs. the MC group at 6.5 h (p<0.001 for both). Median LOS for the PC group was significantly reduced at 27.5 h compared to the MC and Fo8 group at 29 h (p<0.01). A higher proportion of same-day discharges were noted in the PC and Fo8 groups at 14 (18.7%) and 25 (12.3%), respectively, compared to 5 (3.2%) in the MC group (p<0.01 for all). There was no significant difference in complications between the three groups.

Conclusions: Both PC and Fo8 are safe with improved TTH, TTA, LOS, and a higher number of same-day discharges compared to MC.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Catheter ablation; Figure-of-eight stitch; Manual compression; Vascular closure device.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / surgery
  • Atrial Flutter*
  • Catheter Ablation*
  • Female
  • Hemostatic Techniques
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Registries
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

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