Transradial versus transfemoral ancillary approach in complex structural, coronary, and peripheral interventions. Results from the multicenter ancillary registry: A study of the Italian Radial Club.

OBJECTIVES: to understand the role of a transradial (TR) secondary approach during complex percutaneous interventions. BACKGROUND: The value of the TR route for ancillary vascular approach has not been adequately validated in this setting, and there is scant data on its role in reducing bleeding complications. METHODS: In the present study we retrospectively included patients undergoing the following interventions requiring two vascular approaches at nine high-volume centers in Italy: structural cardiac interventions, complex PCI, endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and complex lower limb angioplasty. We compared procedural outcomes according to the type of ancillary vascular approach selected, namely TR or transfemoral/transbrachial (TF/TB). Primary endpoints of the study were procedural success and in-hospital BARC grade 3-5 bleedings. RESULTS: We included 906 patients, 433 receiving TR and 473 TF/TB ancillary approaches. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly. Patients underwent the following types of intervention: structural 50%, complex coronary PCI 37%, EVAR 11%, peripheral angioplasty 2%. Procedural success was similar (90% in TR and 92% TF/TB, P = NS). In-hospital BARC 3/5 bleedings were more common in TF/TB group as compared to TR group (19.7% vs. 6.7%,P < 0.001). In TF/TB group we also observed a higher postprocedural hemoglobin drop (1.92 vs 1.13 g/dl, P = 0.008) and longer hospital stay as compared to TR group. Similar results were observed in a propensity score-matched population of 450 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our study TR ancillary approach was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of major bleedings, without jeopardizing the success of complex structural, coronary, and peripheral percutaneous interventions. The value of the transradial route for ancillary vascular approach during percutaneous interventions has not been adequately validated yet. We retrospectively included 906 patients, 433 receiving TR and 473 TF/TB ancillary approach at nine high-volume centers for the following interventions: structural cardiac interventions, complex PCI, EVAR and complex peripheral angioplasty. Procedural success was similar, whereas in-hospital BARC bleedings were more common in the transfemoral/brachial group. Similar results were observed in a propensity score-matched population. In our study TR ancillary approach was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of major bleedings, without jeopardizing the success of complex interventions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[SICI-GISE Position paper on the standards of cardiac catheterization laboratories in Italy: qualitative and quantitative standards of the Nurses and Allied Professionals Group]. / Documento di posizione SICI-GISE sugli standard dei laboratori di diagnostica e interventistica cardiovascolare: le professioni sanitarie del comparto standard qualitativi e quantitativi.

This document aims to be an integral part of the SICI-GISE position document on standards and guidelines for cardiovascular diagnostic intervention laboratories published in October 2015. It was created with the aim of defining quality and quantitative standards by providing practical support for the structuring of a training course to reach high levels of assistance for nursing and technical personnel working within the catheterization laboratories. The competences detected are the expression of a highly specialized organizational and operational reality that combines technicality with a well-defined clinical assistance need as an expression of a real patient care. The Nurses & Technicians Area of SICI-GISE aimed at issuing a flexible and dynamic document based on technical and operational progress which, in addition to defining qualitative and quantitative standards, describes the underlying knowledge of the professionals of the sector operating in our laboratories. This is the first experience that, through a survey carried out in 2015, has been able to decline qualitative and quantitative data so as to provide resources and skills for measuring and improving assistance outcomes.