REDUCTION OF FEMORAL-ARTERY BLEEDING POST CATHETERIZATION USING A COLLAGEN ENHANCED FIBRIN SEALANT

As the number of cardiac catheterization procedures increases, so do a ssociated complications and costs. This study suggests that the applic ation of a new collagen enhanced fibrin sealant, Collaseal(R), may be used effectively to achieve rapid hemostasis at the arterial puncture site following femoral artery catheterization. Results in nine dogs an ticoagulated with heparin (activated clotting time 396 +/- 107, mean /- S.D.) revealed a statistically significant reduction in signs of gr oss bleeding in the sealant-treated groins as compared to control (2 v ersus 9, P = .0156). These results indicate that this commercially pro duced sealant might be used in human patients undergoing cardiac cathe terization to decrease complications, lengths of stay, and costs. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.