Ben-Dor I, Sharma A, Rogers T, et al. - A cohort of 17,844 patients undergoing femoral-access percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was examined retrospectively to compare access-site complications with a Micropuncture 21-gauge (G) needle vs a standard 18G needle. There were 2344 patients in whom Micropuncture access was used, and a standard 18G needle was used in 15,500 patients. Reduction in the rate of vascular complications as well as significant decrease in the rate of groin hematomas was observed in relation to use of a Micropuncture needle for femoral access PCI. The rate of limb ischemia, perforation, retroperitoneal bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula did not differ significantly between the Micropuncture group and standard needle group.