Adjunctive technique for the use of ProGlide vascular closure device to improve hemostasis.

The Perclose ProGlide (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, Calif) is indicated for the closure of 5F to 21 F femoral artery access sites. We describe an adjunctive technique for the use of the ProGlide vascular closure device to improve hemostasis. After routine use of the device, a hollow tube (cut from the injection port of an introducer sheath) is placed over the free tails of suture. These tubes are secured in place by a hemostat that grasps the free suture tails, creating a Rummel-style tourniquet that compresses the arteriotomy, improving hemostasis. The tubes doubly serve as a conduit for the administration of prothrombotic agents directly in the event that hemostasis is not adequately achieved.