Purpose: Our aim was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the IRIS® bandage (Nephrokit®) on post-puncture bleeding compared to conventional manual compression.

Methods: Sixty-four patients, hemodialyzed with an arteriovenous fistula, were enrolled in a 3-week prospective study. Conventional manual compression was used during the first week, the IRIS® bandage during the second week and conventional manual compression again during the third week. The outcomes analyzed were the persistence or absence of bleeding 3 minutes post-puncture with IRIS® device compared to conventional manual compression. The safety of the IRIS® bandage was also evaluated.

Results: Rates of persistent bleeding 3 minutes post-puncture at arterial sites were 53±6% and 56±5%, respectively, during the first and third weeks (conventional compression) versus 18±5% during the second week (IRIS® bandage). Similarly, rates of persistent bleeding 3 minutes post-puncture at venous sites were 45±6% and 45±6%, respectively, with conventional compression versus 23±5% with the IRIS® bandage. The difference between the IRIS® device and conventional compression therefore proved highly statistically significant (p<0.05) for both arterial and venous puncture sites. No particular adverse events were observed with the IRIS® device.

Conclusions: Post-puncture bleeding time at arteriovenous fistula sites is significantly shortened by the IRIS® bandage in comparison with conventional manual compression.

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