Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a novel external compression vascular closure device: The LockeT® study.

INTRODUCTION: Hemostasis following large-bore femoral vein access remains a challenge. Manual compression has been the standard of care but requires bedside staff, prolonged bed rest, and longer length of stay. The LockeT is an external compression device that attempts to address these issues while achieving venous hemostasis.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluate postprocedural hemostasis and vascular closure outcomes after using LockeT following cardiac electrophysiologic procedures.

METHODS: We performed a single-center, observational study of patients who underwent vascular closure for electrophysiology procedures using LockeT. Postprocedural outcomes were subsequently analyzed.

RESULTS: We studied 102 patients (N) for whom LockeT was used to close 182 separate vascular access sites (n). Common procedures were atrial fibrillation ablation (56.9%, N = 58) and left atrial appendage occlusion (28.4%, N = 29). Most often, 8-Fr [48.3% (n = 126)], 11-Fr [27.2% (n = 71)], and 8.5-Fr [16.9% (n = 44)] sheaths were used, with an average procedure time of 82.1 ± 29.4 min. Hemostasis was achieved in 97.8% (n = 187) of all LockeT cases. Time to ambulation and discharge were 3.93 ± 1.10 h and 8.1 ± 4.4 h, respectively. No major complications were noted. Postprocedurally, 52% (N = 53) of patients were discharged on the same day. There were no differences in hemostasis (p = .859) or ambulation times (p = .202) between procedure types.

CONCLUSION: The LockeT can effectively close venous access sites with no major complications.