Complications:
(1) bleeding, including hematoma formation and need for transfusion
(2) pseudoaneurysm
(3) arteriovenous fistula
(4) thrombosis (especially if a procoagulant is used and injected within the lumen of the artery)
(5) emboli
(6) infection (abscess, sepsis, endarteritis, other; see Chapter 26)
Risk factors for complications:
(1) large catheter diameter
(2) bleeding disorder
(3) use of a closure device within the previous 6 weeks (Hamner et al)
(4) break in sterile technique
Contraindications to use of the closure device (Resnic et al, Silber et al), presumably due to the risk of significant complications:
(1) severe peripheral vascular disease
(2) severe coagulopathy
(3) hematoma at access site
(4) delayed removal of the vascular access sheath (more than 1 hour)
(5) uncontrolled hypertension
