Femoral artery infection associated with a percutaneous arterial suture device

Abstract

This is a case report of a femoral artery infection with fatal outcome after using a percutaneous suture mediated closure device: A 77-year old patient underwent diagnostic angiography of his thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm, the puncture site was closed with the Perclose® system. He developed a staphylococcal femoral artery infection with groin abscess, requiring surgical intervention with debridement and removal of the Perclose® suture. After stent graft exclusion of the thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm a staphylococcal sepsis occurred and the patient died of aneurysm rupture months later despite long term antibiotic therapy. Since the use of the Perclose® device carries an increased risk of femoral artery infection with septic endarteritis and bacteremia, it should not be used in routine diagnostic angiography.