BACKGROUND. Arterial access site complications remain the most frequent adverse events after percutaneous transluminal procedures. We investigated the safety and efficacy of the pro-coagulant wound dressing Neptune Pad ® compared to conventional manual compression for access site management after peripheral percutaneous interventions.

METHODS. We enrolled 201 consecutive patients and randomly assigned patients for Neptune Pad ® (n=100) vs. conventional manual compression (n=101). Patients were followed clinically until hospital discharge and by duplex ultrasound at 24 hours postprocedure for occurrence of access site complications. Time-to-hemostasis and time-to-ambulation were recorded, patients´ and physicians´ discomfort were measured using a visual analogue scale.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All inguinal punctures (common femoral, superficial femoral and deep femoral artery, antegrade and retrograde access) were included.
• No specific limitations of anti-platelet or anti-coagulant medication were specified.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with extreme obesity (BMI above 35 kg/m2) were not included according to the manufactures' recommendations.
• Furthermore, patients with known hypersensitivity to components of the device were not eligible