Collagen application for sealing of arterial puncture sites in comparison to pressure dressing: A randomized trial (Reprinted from Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis, vol 27, pg 298-302, 1992)

One hundred patients undergoing routine diagnostic or interventional cathet erization were randomly assigned to receive either percutaneously applied c ollagen (group A; n = 50) or conventional pressure dressing (group B; n = 5 0) for sealing of the femoral artery. Clinical variables were comparable in both groups. The heparin dose was 100 IU/kg in 30 patients and 200 IU/kg i n 20 patients of either group. The average compression time was 4.3 minutes in group A and 42.3 minutes in group B (p < 0.001). Bleeding was not obser ved in group A but was observed in 6/50 patients in group B, The time to am bulation was 6.4 hours (range: 4-12 hours) in group A and 21.6 hours (range : 10-48 hours) in group B (p < 0.001). Hematomas with a diameter of > 6 cm developed in 4/50 patients in group A and in 11/50 patients in group B (p < 0.05). Blood transfusion or surgical interventions were not required and t here was no loss of ankle pulses in either group. In conclusion, percutaneously applied collagen reduced compression time and duration of bedrest after diagnostic catheterization and PTCA. Despite ear lier ambulation, the incidence of bleeding was lower with collagen than wit h conventional pressure dressing.