Purpose: This study was designed to assess retrospectively short- and mid-term outcomes of the use of a suture-mediated closure device to close the antegrade access in patients undergoing percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy with large catheters for acute leg ischemia. Methods: Between November 2005 and February 2010, a suture-mediated active closure system (ProGlide® 6F, Abbott) was placed before arterial sheath (mean 9F, range 6-12F) introduction in 101 patients (74 men, 73%, mean age 70.1±12.6years standard deviation). Data regarding mortality, complications, and factors contributing to vascular complications at the access site was collected for 6month after the intervention to detect device-related problems. As a coincidence, 77 patients had follow-up visits for a duplex ultrasound. Results: There were a total of 19 vascular complications (19%) at the puncture site, all of which were of hemorrhagic nature and none of which consisted of vessel occlusion. Two major outcome complications (2%) occurred. A retroperitoneal hematoma and a serious inguinal bleeding required additive treatment and did not result in permanent sequelae. Nine cases involved death of which eight were not attributable to the closure and one remained unclear. Successful closure was achieved in 95 patients (94%); additional manual compression was sufficient in the majority of the remaining patients. Numerous factors contributing to vascular complications were encountered. Conclusions: With acceptable short- and mid-term outcomes, the "preclose” technique can be a reliable option for the closure of a large antegrade femoral access even for patients at a high risk of vascular complications, such as those undergoing aspiration thrombectom
