Current status of suture-mediated closure: What is the cost of comfort?

Use of a suture-mediated closure device in a given patient is an extension of the risk-benefit ratio an interventional radiologist determines for any procedure. Certainly, many patients benefit from their use and, given an option, patients prefer use of a device to extended, uncomfortable periods of laying flat, which are worse than the preceding procedure. However, routine use after diagnostic angiography can not be endorsed at this time. Perhaps future devices will cost-effectively eliminate manual compression and recumbent time with less risk to the patient. However, until that time arrives, the decision to use suture-mediated closure devices routinely without a specific clinical need should be weighed carefully on a patient-by-patient basis.