A hemostatic device is a small tool that may be used to more quickly stop bleeding from the femoral artery after a balloon angioplasty or other catheter-based procedures. Without the device, a patient must lie flat for several hours while healthcare professionals apply constant pressure to the puncture site. 

 During an angioplasty or other catheter-based procedure, a physician makes an opening in a blood vessel (frequently the femoral artery in the groin) and passes a tube into the blood vessel to view it or make repairs. After completion, a hole remains in the artery, which can bleed. For years, medical professionals used direct pressure (sometimes with sandbags) on the incision for up to six hours while the natural clotting process eventually stopped the bleeding.

Hemostatic devices enable the incision to heal or clotting to occur in much less time. These devices function several ways. One type of hemostatic device is inserted into a small sheath at the incision site. The physician then administers a procoagulant substance such as collagen through the device, directly to the incision site. The device and sheath are removed, leaving the substance to more quickly seal the wound. Pressure only needs to be applied to the wound for about five minutes instead of several hours. Within the next six weeks, the procoagulant substance will be absorbed by the body. Until those six weeks have passed, it is generally inadvisable to use the same femoral artery to insert another catheter.

Other devices use a “suture mediated closure system.” This system involves making a single, tiny stitch in the femoral artery to close the incision site. Like the other hemostatic devices, the result is a faster recovery time.

Another device uses a star shaped device that is applied directly on the artery like a staple through a staple gun.

Another hemostatic device includes a cup and belt that compresses the incision, similar to the manner in which direct pressure can compress it.