Less invasive heart procedures
Cardiac catheterization, the process of accessing the heart through the femoral artery with a catheter, has largely replaced open-heart surgery for many common procedures related to heart disease. In most cases, it can be performed without general anesthesia. This is less stressful for the patient.
A catheter is inserted into the femoral artery, which is located in the thigh and provides direct access to maneuver a catheter up to the heart. If necessary, the catheter can also be used to insert a stent, which supports the vessels and keeps them open. Tegra Medical, a company of SFS Group, manufactures a suturing device that inserts a stitch to close the hole left in the femoral artery after the surgery.