Efficacy and safety of figure-of-eight suture for hemostasis after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of venous figure-of-eight (FoE) suture to achieve femoral venous hemostasis after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results: We retrospectively examined 517 consecutive patients undergoing RFCA for AF. The control group (n=247) underwent manual compression for femoral venous hemostasis after sheath removal with 6 h of bed rest. The FoE group (n=270) underwent FoE suture technique with 4 h of bed rest. All patients achieved successful hemostasis within 24 h after CA. Although the incidence of hematoma was similar between the groups, the incidence of rebleeding was lower in the FoE group than in the control group (FoE vs. control, 3.7% vs. 18.6%, P<0.001). The post-procedural use of analgesic and/or anti-emetic agents was less frequent in the FoE group (19.3% vs. 32.0%, P<0.001). On multiple logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age and sex, the use of a vitamin K antagonist (OR, 2.42; 95% CI: 1.18–4.99, P=0.02) and the FoE suture technique (OR, 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08–0.35, P<0.001) were independent predictors of rebleeding after CA. Conclusions: FoE suture technique effectively achieved femoral venous hemostasis after RFCA for AF. It reduced the risk of rebleeding, shortened bed rest duration, and relieved patient discomfort.