4-French Compatible Endovascular Materials for Peripheral Artery Disease: Access Site Complications and Cost...

To compare the safety and cost of 4-French compatible materials to the standard size (6-French or larger).

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 2 patient groups stratified by the sheath size used during the intervention. The primary outcome was cost; the secondary outcome was safety, defined as the occurrence of postoperative hematoma, bleeding, oozing, or edema.

A total of 110 patients met the inclusion criteria: 45 in the 4F group and 65 in the 6F or larger group. The incidence of postoperative complications was not significantly different between the 2 group (2.2% vs. 4.6%, P = 0.6433). The cost related to medical devices and medication for an angioplasty with stent was estimated at €1,609.10 for the 4F group and €2,102 for the 6F group or larger (P = 0.03248), resulting in an additional cost of €492.90 for the group using 6F or larger sheath, partly due to arterial closure devices.

Angioplasty using 4F-compatible endovascular materials is as safe as the standard technique with 6F or larger devices, while being more cost-effective.