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Langerhans cell Histiocytosis (LCH) and Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) are clonal myeloid disorders, associated with MAP-Kinase activating mutations and an increased risk of neurodegeneration. Surprisingly, we found pervasive PU.1 + microglia mutant clones across the brain of LCH and ECD patients with and without neurological symptoms, associated with microgliosis, reactive astrocytosis, and neuronal loss. The disease predominated in the grey nuclei of the rhombencephalon, a topography attributable to a local proliferative advantage of mutant microglia. Presence of clinical symptoms was associated with a longer evolution of the disease and a larger size of PU.1 + clones (p= 0.0003). Genetic lineage tracing of PU.1 + clones suggest a resident macrophage lineage or a bone marrow precursor origin depending on patients. Finally, a CSF1R-inhibitor depleted mutant microglia and limited neuronal loss in mice suggesting an alternative to MAPK inhibitors. These studies characterize a progressive neurodegenerative disease, caused by clonal proliferation of inflammatory microglia (CPIM), with a decade(s)-long preclinical stage of incipient disease that represent a therapeutic window for prevention of neuronal death., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest. FG has performed consulting for Third Rock venture in the past. Targeted Sequencing was funded in part by a grant from Third Rock venture. FG and RV are inventors in MSKCC’s United States application or PCT international application number PCT/US2018/047964 filed on 8/24/2018 (KINASE MUTATION-ASSOCIATED NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS)

The prognosis of relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) remains dismal. CAR T-cells are a major contributor to systemic lymphomas, but their use in PCNSL is limited. From the LOC network database, we retrospectively selected PCNSL who had leukapheresis for CAR-T cells from the third line of treatment, and, as controls, PCNSL treated with any treatment, at least in the third line and considered not eligible for ASCT. Twenty-seven patients (median age: 68, median of three previous lines, including ASCT in 14/27) had leukapheresis, of whom 25 received CAR T-cells (tisa-cel: N = 16, axi-cel: N = 9) between 2020 and 2023. All but one received a bridging therapy. The median follow-up after leukapheresis was 20.8 months. The best response after CAR-T cells was complete response in 16 patients (64%). One-year progression-free survival from leukapheresis was 43% with a plateau afterward. One-year relapse-free survival was 79% for patients in complete or partial response at CAR T-cell infusion. The median overall survival was 21.2 months. Twenty-three patients experienced a cytokine release syndrome and 17/25 patients (68%) a neurotoxicity (five grade ≥3). The efficacy endpoints were significantly better in the CAR T-cell group than in the control group (N = 247) (median PFS: 3 months; median OS: 4.7 months; p < 0.001). This series represents the largest cohort of PCNSL treated with CAR T-cells reported worldwide. CAR T-cells are effective in relapsed PCNSL, with a high rate of long-term remission and a reassuring tolerance profile. The results seem clearly superior to those usually observed in this setting., (© 2024 The Authors. American Journal of Hematology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare histiocytosis that may overlap with Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH). This "mixed" entity is poorly characterized. We here investigated the clinical phenotype, outcome, and prognostic factors of a large cohort of patients with mixed ECD-LCH., Methods: This retrospective study was performed at two referral centers in France and Italy (Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris; Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence). We included children and adults with ECD diagnosed in 2000-2022 who had biopsy-proven LCH, available data on clinical presentation, treatment and outcome, and a minimum follow-up of one year. Outcomes included differences in clinical presentation and survival between mixed ECD-LCH and isolated ECD; we also investigated response to treatments and predictors of survival in the mixed cohort. Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Maier method and differences in survival with the long-rank test. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the potential impact of age and gender on survival and to identify predictors of non-response and survival., Findings: Out of a cohort of 502 ECD patients, 69 (14%) had mixed ECD-LCH. Compared to isolated ECD, mixed ECD-LCH occurred more frequently in females (51 vs. 26%, p  < 0.001) and in patients with multisystem disease (≥4 sites). Mixed ECD-LCH more frequently involved long bones (91 vs. 79%, p  = 0.014), central nervous system (51  vs. 34%, p  = 0.007), facial/orbit (52 vs. 38%, p  = 0.031), lungs (43 vs. 28%, p  = 0.009), hypothalamic/pituitary axis (51 vs. 26%, p  < 0.001), skin (61 vs. 29%, p  < 0.001), and lymph nodes (15 vs. 7%, p  = 0.028); the BRAF V600E mutation was also more frequent in mixed ECD-LCH (81 vs. 59%, p  < 0.001). Targeted treatments (BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors) induced response more frequently than conventional therapies (interferon-α, chemotherapy), either as first-line (77 vs. 29%, p  < 0.001) or as any line (75 vs. 24%, p  < 0.001). After a median follow-up of 71 months, 24 patients (35%) died. Survival probability was comparable between ECD alone and mixed ECD-LCH (log-rank p  = 0.948). At multivariable analysis, age at diagnosis (HR 1.052, 95% CI 1.008-1.096), associated hematologic conditions (HR 3.030, 95% CI 1.040-8.827), and treatment failure (HR 9.736, 95% CI 2.919-32.481) were associated with an increased risk of death, while lytic bone lesions with a lower risk (HR 0.116, 95% CI 0.031-0.432)., Interpretation: Mixed ECD-LCH is a multisystem disease driven by the BRAF V600E mutation and targeted treatments are effective. Age at diagnosis, bone lesion patterns, associated hematologic conditions, and treatment failure are the main predictors of death in mixed ECD-LCH., Funding: None., Competing Interests: AI reports research grants from Transgene, Sanofi, and Nutritheragene; consulting fees from Novocure, LeoPharma, Polytone Laser, and Novartis; honoraria from Novocure and Neurologies; travel funding from LeoPharma, Novocure, and Carthera. BT report consulting fees and honoraria from GSK, AstraZeneca, CSL Vifor, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Novartis; advisory board activity for Amgen., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare L-group histiocytosis. Orbital involvement is found in a third of cases, but few data are available concerning the radiological features of ECD-related orbital disease (ECD-ROD). Our aim was to characterize the initial radiological phenotype and outcome of patients with ECD-ROD. Initial and follow-up orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the patients with histologically proven ECD at a national reference center were reviewed. Pathological orbital findings were recorded for 45 (33%) of the 137 patients included, with bilateral involvement in 38/45 (84%) cases. The mean age (± standard deviation) of these patients was 60 (±11.3) years and 78% were men. Intraconal fat infiltration around the optic nerve sheath adjacent to the eye globe (52%), with intense gadolinium uptake and a fibrous component was the most frequent phenotype described. Optic nerve signal abnormalities were observed in 47% of cases. Two patients had bilateral homogeneous extraocular muscle enlargement suggestive of a myositis-like involvement of ECD-ROD. None had isolated dacryoadenitis but in 17 eyes dacryodenitis was described in association with other types of orbital lesions. Only seven patients (15%) had normal brain MRI findings. ECD-associated paranasal sinus involvement and post-pituitary involvement were detected in 56% and 53% of patients, respectively. A decrease/disappearance of the lesions was observed in 17/24 (71%) of the patients undergoing late (>12 months) followups. Interestingly, ECD-ROD only rarely (7/45; 16%) revealed the disease, with exophthalmos being the most frequently identified feature in this subgroup (3/45; 6%). Even though ECD-ROD can be clinically silent, it comprises a broad array of lesions often resulting in optic nerve signal abnormalities, the functional outcome of which remains to be established. ECD-ROD should thus be assessed initially and subsequently monitored by orbital MRI and ophthalmological follow-up.

Objectives: Invasive aspergillosis is a threat for immunocompromised patients. We present a case series of aggressive cerebral vasculitis caused by Aspergillus spp. infection in immunocompromised patients., Methods: We present a retrospective case series of three autopsy-proven invasive cerebral aspergillosis with diffuse vasculitis affecting large caliber cerebral vessels., Results: Three patients were immunosuppressed: one on rituximab, one on corticosteroids, and one with a renal transplant. Two of these patients were diagnosed with cerebral aspergillosis on postmortem., Conclusion: Aspergillus cerebral vasculitis is a rare form of invasive aspergillosis that should be considered in an immunocompromised individual with suggestive lesions on imaging. It should be suspected as a possible cause of aseptic neutrophil meningitis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare they have no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the capabilities of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI at 3 Tesla in discriminating between IgG4-related orbital disease (IgG4-ROD) and other causes of orbital inflammation., Materials and Methods: Main selection criteria for the patients enrolled in this prospective study were age over 18 years and histopathologicaly proven orbital inflammatory lesion. MRI examinations were performed prior to surgery and treatment in all patients with suspected orbital inflammation. Two neuroradiologists, blinded to clinical data, independently analyzed structural MRI examinations and IVIM sequences obtained with 15 b values ranging from 0 to 2000 s/mm². Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), "true" diffusion coefficient (D), perfusion fraction (f) and pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*) values were calculated from all orbital lesions. Diagnostic capabilities of IVIM parameters were assessed using receiver operating-characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of IVIM parameters were calculated for the best threshold values and reported with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: Thirty-five patients (21 women and 14 men; mean age, 49.2 ± 13.75 [SD] years; age range: 23-77 years) with 48 orbital lesions were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients (15/35; 43%) had IgG4-ROD and 20 (20/35; 57%) had other causes of orbital inflammation. Median D value was significantly greater in patients with IgG4-ROD (1 × 10 -3  mm 2 /s; interquartile range [IQR]: 0.9 × 10 -3 ; 1.2 × 10 -3 ) as compared to patients with non IgG4-ROD (0.80 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s; IQR: 0.7 × 10 -3 ; 1 × 10 -3 ) (P = 0.04). There was no significant difference for ADC, f or D*. Area under the curve were of 0.54, 0.73, 0.63 and 0.56 for ADC, D, f and D*, respectively. Optimal threshold derived from ROC curves for D was 0.87 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s, yielding 92% sensitivity (95% CI: 62-100%) and 71% specificity (95% CI: 44-90%) for the diagnosis of IgG4-ROD. No differences in standard morphological MRI criteria were found between IgG4-ROD and non IgG4-ROD., Conclusion: Our study shows that IVIM MRI is a useful imaging technique to distinguish IgG4-ROD from other causes of orbital inflammation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest., (Copyright © 2021 Société française de radiologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: During the last decade, our understanding of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) physiology has dramatically improved, thanks to the discoveries of both the glymphatic system and lymphatic vessels lining the dura mater in human brains., Evidence Acquisition: We detail the recent basic science findings in the field of CSF physiology and connect them with our current understanding of the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)., Results: Transverse sinus (TS) stenoses seem to play a major causative role in the symptoms of IIH, as a result of a decrease in the pressure gradient between the venous system and the subarachnoid space. However, the intracranial pressure can be highly variable among different patients, depending on the efficiency of the lymphatic system to resorb the CSF and on the severity of TS stenoses. It is likely that there is a subclinical form of IIH and that IIH without papilledema is probably under-diagnosed among patients with chronic migraines or isolated tinnitus., Conclusions: IIH can be summarized in the following pathological triad: restriction of the venous CSF outflow pathway-overflow of the lymphatic CSF outflow pathway-congestion of the glymphatic system. To better encompass all the stages of IIH, it is likely that the Dandy criteria need to be updated and that perhaps renaming IIH should be considered., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 by North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society.)

Background This study provides a detailed imaging assessment in a large series of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and presenting with neurologic manifestations. Purpose To review the MRI findings associated with acute neurologic manifestations in patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March 23 and May 7, 2020, at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, a reference center for COVID-19 in the Paris area. Adult patients were included if they had a diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection with acute neurologic manifestations and referral for brain MRI. Patients with a prior history of neurologic disease were excluded. The characteristics and frequency of different MRI features were investigated. The findings were analyzed separately in patients in intensive care units (ICUs) and other departments (non-ICU). Results During the inclusion period, 1176 patients suspected of having COVID-19 were hospitalized. Of 308 patients with acute neurologic symptoms, 73 met the inclusion criteria and were included (23.7%): thirty-five patients were in the ICU (47.9%) and 38 were not (52.1%). The mean age was 58.5 years ± 15.6 [standard deviation], with a male predominance (65.8% vs 34.2%). Forty-three patients had abnormal MRI findings 2-4 weeks after symptom onset (58.9%), including 17 with acute ischemic infarct (23.3%), one with a deep venous thrombosis (1.4%), eight with multiple microhemorrhages (11.3%), 22 with perfusion abnormalities (47.7%), and three with restricted diffusion foci within the corpus callosum consistent with cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (4.1%). Multifocal white matter-enhancing lesions were seen in four patients in the ICU (5%). Basal ganglia abnormalities were seen in four other patients (5%). Cerebrospinal fluid analyses were negative for SARS-CoV-2 in all patients tested ( n = 39). Conclusion In addition to cerebrovascular lesions, perfusion abnormalities, cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum, and intensive care unit-related complications, we identified two patterns including white matter-enhancing lesions and basal ganglia abnormalities that could be related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Purpose: To examine retinal vascular changes in the peripapillary and macular areas in patients with pituitary adenoma (PA) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)., Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective study of 17 consecutive PA patients and 16 healthy subjects. All patients underwent a neuro-ophthalmological examination to assess the presence of optic neuropathy (ON). Static automated perimetry (SAP), macular and optic disc structural OCT [retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thicknesses] and OCTA were performed. Pituitary adenoma (PA) patients with ON were compared to those without ON and to healthy subjects., Results: Optic neuropathy (ON) was found in 16 eyes of nine PA patients. Peripapillary vessel density (ppVD) and macular vessel density (VD) in the superficial vascular plexus were significantly decreased in PA eyes with ON, compared to healthy eyes (45.21 ± 5.69 versus 50.52 ± 2.14% and 43.79 ± 5.03% versus 48.96 ± 2.94%, respectively). No significant difference in VD was observed in the macular deep vascular complex (DVC) between groups. Pituitary adenoma (PA) patients with ON had a mean ppVD reduction by 10.51% compared to healthy subjects. RNFL and GCC thicknesses were significantly reduced in PA eyes with ON compared to the other groups. Peripapillary VD (ppVD) significantly correlated with RNFL thickness and SAP mean deviation., Conclusions: Optical coherence tomography angiography showed a significant decrease in ppVD and superficial macular VD in PA eyes with ON compared to healthy eyes, according to RNFL and GCC thinning. Together with the absence of DVC alterations, it may provide further insights into neurovascular coupling., (© 2019 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

There is growing evidence that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a neurotropic and neuroinvasive potential. In particular, neurologic complications associated with the infection by SARS-CoV-2 include strokes that may result from a dysregulated inflammatory response to the infection. We report an atypical deep cerebral vein thrombosis complicated with hemorrhagic venous infarction in a patient positive for SARS-CoV-2 with no risk factors for thrombosis., (© 2020 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Background: We quantified the spontaneous imaging growth rate of oligodendrogliomas. We assessed whether (i) it discriminates between World Health Organization (WHO) grade II and grade III oligodendrogliomas, and (ii) grade III oligodendrogliomas with neo-angiogenesis are associated with more fast growth rates (≥8 mm/y)., Methods: This work employed a retrospective bicentric cohort study (2010-2016) of adult patients harboring a newly diagnosed supratentorial oligodendroglioma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant and 1p/19q codeleted (WHO 2016 classification), with a minimum of 2 available MRIs before any treatment (minimum 6-week interval) to measure the spontaneous tumor growth rate., Results: We included 108 patients (age 44.7 ± 14.1 y, 60 males). The tumor growth rate was higher in grade III oligodendrogliomas with neo-angiogenesis (n = 37, median 10.4 mm/y, mean 10.0 ± 6.9) than in grade III oligodendrogliomas with increased mitosis count only (cutoff ≥6 mitoses, n = 18, median 3.9 mm/y, mean 4.5 ± 3.2; P = 0.004), and higher than in grade II oligodendrogliomas (n = 53, median 2.3 mm/y, mean 2.8 ± 2.2; P < 0.001). There was increased prevalence of fast tumor growth rates in grade III oligodendrogliomas with neo-angiogenesis (54.1%) compared with grade III oligodendrogliomas with increased mitosis count only (11.1%; P < 0.001), and in grade II oligodendrogliomas (0.0%; P < 0.001). The tumor growth rate trends did not differ between centers (P = 0.121). Neo-angiogenesis (P < 0.001) and mitosis count at ≥9 (P = 0.013) were independently associated with tumor growth rates ≥8 mm/year. A tumor growth rate ≥8 mm/year was the only predictor independently associated with shorter progression-free survival (P = 0.041)., Conclusions: The spontaneous tumor growth rate recapitulates oligodendroglioma aggressiveness, permits identification of grade III oligodendrogliomas preoperatively when ≥8 mm/year, and questions the grading by mitosis count., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumor of the cerebrum is a rare supratentorial brain tumor described for the first time in 2013. Here, we report 11 cases of infratentorial lesions showing similar striking imaging features consisting of a cluster of low T1-weighted imaging and high T2-FLAIR signal intensity nodules, which we referred to as multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance. No relationship was found between the location of the lesion and clinical symptoms. A T2-FLAIR hypointense central dot sign was present in images of 9/11 (82%) patients. Cortical involvement was present in 2/11 (18%) of patients. Only 1 nodule of 1 multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesion of unknown significance showed enhancement on postcontrast T1WI. DWI, SWI, MRS, and PWI showed no malignant pattern. Lesions did not change in size or signal during a median follow-up of 3 years, suggesting that multinodular and vacuolating posterior fossa lesions of unknown significance are benign malformative lesions that do not require surgical intervention or removal., (© 2019 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.)

Background: Acute optic neuritis (AON) is a common optic nerve disease leading to retrograde degeneration of optic nerve axons, reflected by thinning of the inner retinal layers on optical coherence tomography. On the contrary, acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) type 2 is a rare outer retinal disorder that leads to thinning of the outer nuclear layers and is diagnosed by multimodal imaging. The aim of this study was to report a new association between these two diseases., Methods: Patients with a first episode of optic neuritis were invited to participate in a study that involved optical coherence tomography evaluation at baseline and the following 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. All the study patients underwent ophthalmologic evaluation that comprised of visual acuity, visual field and multimodal imaging as well as orbital and brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made according to the 2010 McDonald criteria., Results: Six of the 114 patients with acute optic neuritis also had acute macular neuroretinopathy, of whom three were positive for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG-Abs), two had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and one had clinical isolated syndrome., Conclusion: Our study suggests that it is imperative to check for associated AMN in cases of AON, especially those associated with MOG-Abs., (© 2019 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The results of treatment of 55 patients, suffering iatrogenic damage of the main vessels, which constitute 22.4% of all damages of vessels occurred during last ten years, were analyzed. The causes of the vessels iatrogenic damage were analyzed in detail. A favorable result achievement, a vessel integrity restoration with maintenance of the vascular tube passability have become possible in 50 (90.9%) patients due to early and technically adequate operation conduction. The extremity amputation was performed in 2 (3.6%) patients, 3 (5.5%) patients died.

Basing on analysis of the treatment results in 521 patients, suffering diabetic foot syndrome (DFS), the clinical classification was proposed, taking into account regulations of the International agreement on diabetic foot. It contains pathogenetic mechanisms of DFS occurrence, severity of the nerves and vessels affection, degree of ischemia, character of purulent-necrotic complications. Classification permits to determine the methods of treatment in homogenous groups of patients, suffering DFS.

Indications for lumbar sympathectomy performance in patients, suffering obliterating atherosclerosis with chronic critical ischemia, were substantiated. To prognosticate the operation result there were analyzed clinical data and data of instrumental investigation of 290 patients, permitting to estimate the state of macrohemodynamics (roentgencontrast arteriography, ultrasonic dopplerometry, rheova-sography) and microcirculation (laser Doppler's flowmetry--LDF). Initial indices of macro- and microhemodynamics on the foot are the important prognostication factors to predict the result of operation. Positive immediate postoperative results were achieved in 93.4% of patients, including 92.1%--while taking into account the macrohemodynamics indices and 96.4%--those, depicting the state of microcirculation.

The data on the cause and the occurrence rate of rare complication of cholelithic disease, Mirizzi syndrome, are adduced. The difficulties in diagnosis and treatment were noted. The prophylactic measures for the common biliary duct damage during operative intervention for Mirizzi syndrome were suggested.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate two different stent placement techniques for bifurcation lesions: 1) stenting of the main branch and balloon dilatation of the sidebranch versus 2) stenting of both branches., Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of coronary bifurcation lesions remains challenging, and limited information is available regarding whether stent placement is necessary in both branches of the bifurcation using bare-metal stents. Methods. We prospectively followed all patients who underwent PCI for symptomatic bifurcation lesions at our center. All patients were carefully followed for subsequent clinical events., Results: Between March 2001 and November 2002, a total of 50 patients were treated with either stenting of both vessels (double stent group; n = 32) or stenting of the parent vessel and balloon angioplasty of the sidebranch (single stent group; n = 18). Optimal angiographic success was 87.5% in the single stent group and 100% in the double stent group (p = 0.1). The post-procedure percent diameter stenosis of the sidebranch vessel was significantly higher in the single stent group (18 +/- 25% versus 4 +/- 8%; p = 0.005). At 6 months, the incidence of clinically driven repeat target lesion revascularization was 37.6% with 2 stents as compared to 5.6% using 1 stent (p = 0.01). Angiographic restenosis was documented in 40.6% using 2 bifurcation stents, as compared to 11% when using 1 stent (p = 0.05). By multivariable analysis adjusted for baseline differences, stenting the sidebranch was a borderline predictor for major adverse cardiac events at 6 months (odds ratio = 10.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-116; p = 0.053)., Conclusion: For the treatment of true bifurcation lesions, a strategy of stenting both vessels using bare metal stents seems to be associated with worse long-term results, as compared to stenting only the parent vessel.

Background: Arterial access site management after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a matter of increasing importance in this era of potent antiplatelet pharmacotherapy. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a 6 French (Fr) Perclose suturing device in achieving rapid hemostasis of the access site after PCI and thus improving patient comfort., Methods: The 6 Fr Perclose (Prostar) device consists of a suture-based closure device delivered via introducer sheath designed for suturing of the arteriotomy puncture site. Over a 3-month period, the device was used in 48 consecutive PCI treated patients (age, 62 13 years; 70% male; 44% post myocardial infarction) and in-hospital groin complication rate was compared to 48 consecutive patients (age, 64 12 years; 64% male; 33% post myocardial infarction) who had manual compression hemostasis., Results: Antiplatelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists were used more frequently during and following the procedure in 58% of Perclose-treated patients versus 42% of the manual compression group (p = 0.019). Leg immobilization duration was 3 4 hours in all patients sutured by the device; in patients with manual compression, the sheath was removed at an average of 4.8 2.5 hours after termination of the PCI and an additional 6 hours of leg immobilization were subsequently required. No difference in overall major complication rate was found between groups (6.2% in suture-mediated patients versus 9.3% in manual compression group; p = 0.60). In 3 patients (6.2%) treated using the device, adjunctive manual compression was required in addition to groin suturing due to technical failure or residual oozing from the arteriotomy site., Conclusion: The 6 Fr Perclose device can be safely used to achieve rapid hemostasis and the device may hasten bed mobilization of PCI-treated patients despite frequent use of potent antiplatelet pharmacotherapy during coronary interventions.