A new vascular sealant (Sealgel) tan achieve rapid hemostasis after percutaneous angioplasty in anticoagulated patients: clinical feasibility and preliminary results

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a new vascular seala nt (Sealgel) to provide rapid hemostasis in anticoagulated patients after p ercutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Sealgel was designed with ancro d (10 mg) and tranexamic acid (80 mg) dissolved in a hyaluronic acid gel (3 mi). Fifty anticoagulated patients (heparin, aspirin, ticlopidin) who unde rwent PTA of coronary artery were enrolled in the study Sealgel (3 mi) was delivered under manual compression through a 9-F cannula at the arterial pu ncture site after the introducer sheath removal at the end of PTA procedure . Hemostasis time as well as complications were recorded. Sealgel was succe ssfully delivered in 98% of patients. Hemostasis occurred within 15 mn of m anual compression in 82% of patients, within 25 mn in 98%, and failed in 1 patient (2%). Hematoma (6-cm diameter) was observed in 1 patient and late b leeding in another one. There were no clinical signs of embolism, inflammat ory swelling, local infection, Vascular fistula, or pseudoaneurysm. No surg ery or blood transfusion was required. Sealgel application after PTA in ant icoagulated patient is feasible and secure. Preliminary results suggest tha t the Sealgel brought about rapid hemostasis; however further studies are n eeded to determine its clinical efficacy.