Prospective study evaluating technical and clinical outcomes from the use of low profile angioplasty (LOPA) systems

Aim To compare the success and complication associated with 4 and 5 F access systems prospectively in the treatment of infra-inguinal vascular disease. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty consecutive patients were treated for lower limb vascular disease via a 4 F ( n = 60) or 5 F ( n = 60) access sheath over a 12 month period. All common femoral arteries were punctured in an antegrade direction with ultrasound guidance. Seven minutes of manual compression was applied and the groin assessed with ultrasound to document complications. Repeated manual compression was applied until haemostasis was achieved in all cases. Time to haemostasis, equipment used, patient biochemical data, and demographics were recorded. Patients were followed-up at a mean of 12 weeks post-procedure. Results Antegrade access and sheath insertion was achieved in all cases. The technical success of the procedure was 56/60 (93%) cases using 4 F access and 57 (95%) cases using 5 F access. The time to haemostasis was reduced to a mean of 8.2 min (range 7–12 min) with a 4 F system compared to a mean of 12 min (range 7–30 minutes) with a 5 F system ( p = 0.045). Overall there were 12 complications (10%; 11