Outcomes of transradial primary percutaneous intervention from a tertiary cardiac centre in Turkey
Seref Ulucan,1 Zeynettin Kaya,1 Ahmet Keser,1 Hüseyin Katlandur,1 Hüseyin Özdil,1 İsmail Ateş,2 and Mehmet S Ulgen1
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Abstract
Objectives: The aim was to study transradial approach (TRA) and transfemoral approach (TFA) in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, usefulness, and procedure characteristics in patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Along with the said aim, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at follow-up were also compared. Methods: The present study was conducted on 344 consecutive patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and qualifying for PCI. Patients were classified into two groups according to radial and femoral approaches. Patients were followed-up for MACE. Results: PCI was found to be successful in all patients. In TRA group the time between the end of the intervention to removal of the sheath, and duration of mobilization and hospitalization were significantly shorter when compared to TFA group (12 ± 2 minutes vs. 240 ± 12 minutes; P = 0.001, 13 ± 2 hours vs. 22 ± 2 hours; P = 0.001, and 96 ± 45 hours vs. 125 ± 55 hours; P = 0.001, respectively). In TRA group, two patients had hematomas greater than 2 cm while fourteen patients in TFA group had hematomas greater than 5 cm (1% vs. 8%; P = 0.002). TRA group had lower in-hospital MACE rates (5% vs. 11%; P = 0.036). The long terms MACE rates of the groups were similar (23% vs. 22%; P = 0.888). Conclusions: In patients with STEMI, PCI via TRA had the same effectiveness as TFA. Moreover, Time to ambulation and rates of bleeding complications were reduced by TRA, which allowed early rehabilitation. TRA reduced the incidence of in-hospital MACEs.
Keywords: Transradial approach, transfemoral approach, primary percutaneous coronary intervention, st-segment elevation myocardial infarction
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Introduction
Today, coronary angiography (CAG) examinations and interventional procedures by the transfemoral approach (TFA) are employed by many institutions. TFA is preferred more as it is easier for physicians. However, high rates concerned with local complications have led researchers seek alternative ways of intervention [1]. Moreover, despite improvements in technique, equipment and medical agents, bleeding still remains the major factor in morbidity and mortality in STEMI [2]. Due to lower incidence of complication in vascular access site, relatively high procedural effectiveness, lower hospital costs and improved patient satisfaction when compared to TFA, transradial approach (TRA) has been used widely [1-5]. Primary PCI via TRA decreases the incidence of major bleeding and provides a lower mortality rate too [6].
Our aim was to study TRA and TFA in terms of feasibility, effectiveness usefulness and procedure characteristics in patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Along with the said aim, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at follow-up were compared too.
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Methods
Study population
385 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency unite of Mevlana University Hospital within six hours from the onset of their symptom and undergoing primary PCI were included in the present study. A total of forty one patients composed of those lost to follow-up, those having no documented follow-up after primary PCI (n = 33), those necessitating an intra-aortic balloon pumping (n = 2) and those having a height below 150 cm (n = 1) were excluded from the study. The final study population was 344 patients divided into two groups. In group I, there were one hundred seventy four patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI via TRA (age 63 ± 11, 145 men) and group II consisted of 170 patients via TFA (age 64 ± 12, 134 men). Before the procedure was started, modified Allen test where the adequate collateral blood flow was assessed using a pulse oximeter was used. When an abnormal result was obtained in the right upper limb, modified Allen test was repeated on the left one. TFA was performed when the modified Allen test failed to present olağan results in both of the extremities. Radial artery puncture was performed using a 21 G needle and 0.021 inch wire while femoral artery puncture was puncture was performed using an 18 G needle and 0.035 inch wire. Standard 5 F Judkins diagnostic catheter and 6 F vascular sheath were used for coronary angiography.
After receiving intravenous heparin (100 U/kg) and 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel, the patients underwent balloon pre-dilation with coronary balloon and stent (bare metal or drug-eluting stent) implantation. In the radial group, the vascular sheath was removed following the procedure while the radial artery was compressed for 1 to 2 hours using a Terumo Band. In femoral group, the vascular sheath was removed after 4-6 hours by taking into account the value of the activated coagulation time (ACT). Regarding the study protocol, an approval was obtained from the medical ethics committee of Selcuk University. An informed consent was taken from all the patients.
Laboratory analysis
Antecubital venous blood samples required for the laboratory analysis were obtained from all the patients at baseline. The measurements of routine blood parameters were carried out within 5 minutes of sampling using Sysmex K-X-21N auto analyzer.
Follow-up, adverse cardiovascular events and definitions
Follow-up veri was obtained from the hospital records and through interviews with the patients, their families or their primary deva physician. Obtaining a TIMI 3 flow rate was considered as a successful PCI. Clinically overt blood loss with a 3 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin, intracranial, intraocular, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage, any decrease in hemoglobin > 4 g/dl without overt bleeding, and transfusion requirement of ≥ 2 units of blood products were defined as the major bleeding complications.
Non-fatal myocardial infarction, in-stent thrombosis, cardiovascular mortality during the in-hospital or long-term follow-up period, and stroke were defined as the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). A total occlusion documented by angiography was the proof of in-stent thrombosis. Non-fatal myocardial infarction was defined as recurrent chest pain and/or new electrocardiographic changes along with a ≥ 20% rise in cardiac biomarkers after recurrence. Cardiovascular mortality was defined as deaths due to myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest or other cardiac causes. The total procedure time was the time passing between arrivals to the catheter laboratory to the removal of catheter from the sheath.
Statistical analysis
Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables were defined as percentage and compared using Chi-square test. Differences between the two groups were checked for significance with the two-tailed Student’s t-test for independent variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant. SPSS Statistical Software (version 15.0 for Windows; Chicago, IL) was used in all the statistical analysis.
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Results
The mean follow-up period was 13 months (1-20 months). Baseline characteristics of the patients are given in Table 1. Demographic features, cardiovascular status on admission, risk factors for coronary heart disease and MI localization in ECG did not show any difference between the groups.
Table 1
Baseline characteristics of the patients
Seref Ulucan,1 Zeynettin Kaya,1 Ahmet Keser,1 Hüseyin Katlandur,1 Hüseyin Özdil,1 İsmail Ateş,2 and Mehmet S Ulgen1
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer
Go to:
Abstract
Objectives: The aim was to study transradial approach (TRA) and transfemoral approach (TFA) in terms of feasibility, effectiveness, usefulness, and procedure characteristics in patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Along with the said aim, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at follow-up were also compared. Methods: The present study was conducted on 344 consecutive patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and qualifying for PCI. Patients were classified into two groups according to radial and femoral approaches. Patients were followed-up for MACE. Results: PCI was found to be successful in all patients. In TRA group the time between the end of the intervention to removal of the sheath, and duration of mobilization and hospitalization were significantly shorter when compared to TFA group (12 ± 2 minutes vs. 240 ± 12 minutes; P = 0.001, 13 ± 2 hours vs. 22 ± 2 hours; P = 0.001, and 96 ± 45 hours vs. 125 ± 55 hours; P = 0.001, respectively). In TRA group, two patients had hematomas greater than 2 cm while fourteen patients in TFA group had hematomas greater than 5 cm (1% vs. 8%; P = 0.002). TRA group had lower in-hospital MACE rates (5% vs. 11%; P = 0.036). The long terms MACE rates of the groups were similar (23% vs. 22%; P = 0.888). Conclusions: In patients with STEMI, PCI via TRA had the same effectiveness as TFA. Moreover, Time to ambulation and rates of bleeding complications were reduced by TRA, which allowed early rehabilitation. TRA reduced the incidence of in-hospital MACEs.
Keywords: Transradial approach, transfemoral approach, primary percutaneous coronary intervention, st-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Go to:
Introduction
Today, coronary angiography (CAG) examinations and interventional procedures by the transfemoral approach (TFA) are employed by many institutions. TFA is preferred more as it is easier for physicians. However, high rates concerned with local complications have led researchers seek alternative ways of intervention [1]. Moreover, despite improvements in technique, equipment and medical agents, bleeding still remains the major factor in morbidity and mortality in STEMI [2]. Due to lower incidence of complication in vascular access site, relatively high procedural effectiveness, lower hospital costs and improved patient satisfaction when compared to TFA, transradial approach (TRA) has been used widely [1-5]. Primary PCI via TRA decreases the incidence of major bleeding and provides a lower mortality rate too [6].
Our aim was to study TRA and TFA in terms of feasibility, effectiveness usefulness and procedure characteristics in patients having ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Along with the said aim, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at follow-up were compared too.
Go to:
Methods
Study population
385 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency unite of Mevlana University Hospital within six hours from the onset of their symptom and undergoing primary PCI were included in the present study. A total of forty one patients composed of those lost to follow-up, those having no documented follow-up after primary PCI (n = 33), those necessitating an intra-aortic balloon pumping (n = 2) and those having a height below 150 cm (n = 1) were excluded from the study. The final study population was 344 patients divided into two groups. In group I, there were one hundred seventy four patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI via TRA (age 63 ± 11, 145 men) and group II consisted of 170 patients via TFA (age 64 ± 12, 134 men). Before the procedure was started, modified Allen test where the adequate collateral blood flow was assessed using a pulse oximeter was used. When an abnormal result was obtained in the right upper limb, modified Allen test was repeated on the left one. TFA was performed when the modified Allen test failed to present olağan results in both of the extremities. Radial artery puncture was performed using a 21 G needle and 0.021 inch wire while femoral artery puncture was puncture was performed using an 18 G needle and 0.035 inch wire. Standard 5 F Judkins diagnostic catheter and 6 F vascular sheath were used for coronary angiography.
After receiving intravenous heparin (100 U/kg) and 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel, the patients underwent balloon pre-dilation with coronary balloon and stent (bare metal or drug-eluting stent) implantation. In the radial group, the vascular sheath was removed following the procedure while the radial artery was compressed for 1 to 2 hours using a Terumo Band. In femoral group, the vascular sheath was removed after 4-6 hours by taking into account the value of the activated coagulation time (ACT). Regarding the study protocol, an approval was obtained from the medical ethics committee of Selcuk University. An informed consent was taken from all the patients.
Laboratory analysis
Antecubital venous blood samples required for the laboratory analysis were obtained from all the patients at baseline. The measurements of routine blood parameters were carried out within 5 minutes of sampling using Sysmex K-X-21N auto analyzer.
Follow-up, adverse cardiovascular events and definitions
Follow-up veri was obtained from the hospital records and through interviews with the patients, their families or their primary deva physician. Obtaining a TIMI 3 flow rate was considered as a successful PCI. Clinically overt blood loss with a 3 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin, intracranial, intraocular, or retroperitoneal hemorrhage, any decrease in hemoglobin > 4 g/dl without overt bleeding, and transfusion requirement of ≥ 2 units of blood products were defined as the major bleeding complications.
Non-fatal myocardial infarction, in-stent thrombosis, cardiovascular mortality during the in-hospital or long-term follow-up period, and stroke were defined as the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). A total occlusion documented by angiography was the proof of in-stent thrombosis. Non-fatal myocardial infarction was defined as recurrent chest pain and/or new electrocardiographic changes along with a ≥ 20% rise in cardiac biomarkers after recurrence. Cardiovascular mortality was defined as deaths due to myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest or other cardiac causes. The total procedure time was the time passing between arrivals to the catheter laboratory to the removal of catheter from the sheath.
Statistical analysis
Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables were defined as percentage and compared using Chi-square test. Differences between the two groups were checked for significance with the two-tailed Student’s t-test for independent variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant. SPSS Statistical Software (version 15.0 for Windows; Chicago, IL) was used in all the statistical analysis.
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Results
The mean follow-up period was 13 months (1-20 months). Baseline characteristics of the patients are given in Table 1. Demographic features, cardiovascular status on admission, risk factors for coronary heart disease and MI localization in ECG did not show any difference between the groups.
Table 1
Baseline characteristics of the patients
Variable | Radial (n: 174) | Femoral (n: 170) | P value |
---|---|---|---|