Femoral micropuncture or routine introducer study (FEMORIS).

Objectives: The Micropuncture® 21-gauge needle may reduce complications related to vessel trauma from inadvertent venous or posterior arterial wall puncture.

Methods: This was a single-center, multiple-user trial. Four hundred and two patients undergoing possible or definite percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized 1:1 to an 18-gauge versus a 21-gauge needle.

Initial stability of cemented femoral stems as a function of surface finish, collar, and stem size.

Background: The optimum surface roughness of cemented femoral stems used for total hip replacement is a subject of controversy. While rougher surfaces provide stronger cement adhesion, it has been hypothesized that polished, tapered, noncollared stems settle into the cement mantle, providing improved stability. However, the effects of surface finish on the stability of straight, cemented stems tapered only in the coronal plane are not known.