Adverse neonatal outcome associated with maternal tuberculosis in a public tertiary centre: a retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate a group of infants born to women with tuberculosis (TB) during pregnancy to determine the neonatal morbidities and its outcomes associated with tuberculosis in pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from January 2007 to December 2021 was collected for analysis as part of a retrospective cohort study. This study was conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Malaysia, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah (HSIS). Cases were identified from the hospital's bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination notification forms and merged with records from the neonatal intensive care unit's census. Controls were infants born to mothers unaffected by TB within the same hospital and year as the index case (1:4 ratio). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The main outcome measures were the risk of congenital tuberculosis, premature birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age and low APGAR score. RESULTS: Data from January 2007 to December 2021 was collected for analysis as part of a retrospective cohort study. This study was conducted in a tertiary public hospital in Malaysia, Hospital Sultan Idris Shah (HSIS). Cases were identified from the hospital's bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination notification forms and merged with records from the neonatal intensive care unit's census. Controls were infants born to mothers unaffected by TB within the same hospital and year as the index case (1:4 ratio). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. The main outcome measures were the risk of congenital tuberculosis, premature birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age and low APGAR score.

Case Volumes and Outcomes Among Early-Career Interventional Cardiologists in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the procedural characteristics, case volumes, and mortality rates for early- vs non-early-career interventional cardiologists in the United States. OBJECTIVES: This study examined operator-level data for patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between April 2018 and June 2022. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry, American Board of Internal Medicine certification database, and National Plan and Provider Enumeration System database. Early-career operators were within 5 years of the end of training. Annual case volume, expected mortality and bleeding risk, and observed/predicted mortality and bleeding outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1,451 operators were early career; 1,011 changed their career status during the study; and 6,251 were non-early career. Overall, 514,540 patients were treated by early-career and 2,296,576 patients by non-early-career operators. The median annual case volume per operator was 59 (Q1-Q3: 31-97) for early-career and 57 (Q1-Q3: 28-100) for non-early-career operators. Early-career operators were more likely to treat patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and urgent indications for PCI (both P < 0.001). The median predicted mortality risk was 2.0% (Q1-Q3: 1.5%-2.7%) for early-career and 1.8% (Q1-Q3: 1.2%-2.4%) for non-early-career operators. The median predicted bleeding risk was 4.9% (Q1-Q3: 4.2%-5.7%) for early-career and 4.4% (Q1-Q3: 3.7%-5.3%) for non-early-career operators. After adjustment, an increased risk of mortality (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05-1.17; P < 0.0001) and bleeding (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.05-1.12; P < 0.0001) were associated with early-career status. CONCLUSIONS: Early-career operators are caring for patients with more acute presentations and higher predicted risk of mortality and bleeding compared with more experienced colleagues, with modestly worse outcomes. These data should inform institutional practices to support the development of early-career proceduralists.

Zebrafish Model in Illuminating the Complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders: A Unique Research Tool.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological condition that may develop in certain individuals following exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events. Distressing symptoms, including flashbacks, are characterized by disrupted stress responses, fear, anxiety, avoidance tendencies, and disturbances in sleep patterns. The enduring effects of PTSD can profoundly impact personal and familial relationships, as well as social, medical, and financial stability. The prevalence of PTSD varies among different populations and is influenced by the nature of the traumatic event. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a valuable model organism in studying various conditions and disorders. Zebrafish display robust behavioral patterns that can be effectively quantified using advanced video-tracking tools. Due to their relatively simple nervous system compared to humans, zebrafish are particularly well suited for behavioral investigations. These unique characteristics make zebrafish an appealing model for exploring the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern behavior, thus offering a powerful comparative platform for gaining deeper insights into PTSD. This review article aims to provide updates on the pathophysiology of PTSD and the genetic responses associated with psychological stress. Additionally, it highlights the significance of zebrafish behavior as a valuable tool for comprehending PTSD better. By leveraging zebrafish as a model organism, researchers can potentially uncover novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of PTSD and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex condition.

Quality of Life in Older Adults With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A Post Hoc Analysis of the BARI 2D Trial.

Studies on the long-term differences in quality-of-life (QoL) metrics after treatment for stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) in older adults with diabetes mellitus are lacking. Older patients (age ≥65 years) in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial were stratified into those who received intensive medical therapy (IMT) only versus revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] vs coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG]) with OMT. Self-health score, Duke activity status index (DASI), energy rating, and health distress rating at 5 years were compared using multivariable linear regression. A total of 929 older adults were included, of whom 469 (50.5%) underwent medical therapy alone, 302 (32.5%) underwent PCI, and 158 (17.0%) had CABG. Patients who underwent CABG were more likely to have proximal left anterior descending coronary artery disease, chronic total occlusion, and higher myocardial jeopardy index. At 5 years of follow-up, no differences in self-health score, DASI, energy rating, and health distress rating were observed between PCI and IMT. There are also no differences in the 4 QoL measures between CABG and IMT alone. However, the DASI was marginally higher with CABG but not statistically significant (mean difference 3.88, 95% confidence interval -0.10 to -7.86, p = 0.057). At 5 years of follow-up, no differences in QoL measures were observed between PCI and CABG with OMT versus OMT alone in older adult patients with diabetes mellitus and SIHD. Future blinded randomized trials are necessary to investigate the impact of SIHD treatment in the older adult population, considering the risks associated with multimorbidity, polypharmacy, frailty, and cognitive impairment.

Characteristics and outcomes of large artery occlusion-related stroke due to intracranial atherostenosis: An experience from a single center in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Literature on the frequency, response to treatment, and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to intracranial atherostenosis (ICAS)-related intracranial large artery occlusion (ILAO) from Saudi Arabia is scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the percentage, describe the characteristics, and observe the treatment response in patients with AIS attributed to ICAS-related ILAO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included all adult patients from 2017-2021 who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the diagnosis of ICAS-related AIS. Patients were dichotomized based on ILAO. Mortality and functional outcomes (FOCs) based on 90 days' dependence level were compared between the two groups. The association between ILAO and other variables was assessed using the Chi-squared test, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: ILAO was found in 38.7% of patients with ICAS-related AIS. Men comprised three-fourths of the cohort and were more frequent in the ILAO group. Smoking was associated with increased (P = 0.04) likelihood of ILAO. Patients with ILAO had more severe strokes (P ≤ 0.001) than patients without. Middle cerebral artery was the most common occluded vessel (52%). Functional dependence (P = 0.003, OR = 2.87, CI = 1.42-5.77), malignant transformation (P = 0.001, OR = 8.0, CI = 1.82-35.9), and mortality (P ≤ 0.001, OR = 7.67, CI = 2.40-24.5) were significantly higher among ILAO group. Patients with ILAO with unfavorable FOC were older than those who achieved better FOC (P ≤ 0.001). Thrombolysis (P = 0.02, OR = 2.50, CI = 1.15-5.41) and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) improved FOC in patients with ILAO (P = 0.04, OR = 2.33, CI = 1.10-4.92). CONCLUSION: ILAO is common in patients with ICAS-related AIS. Timely hyperacute stroke treatment can help improve the FOC of otherwise disabling stroke due to ILAO. Raising awareness of the community about stroke is needed, so that a higher number of patients can arrive at hospital within the golden hours. Further data from the region are required to recognize the efficacy of MT in ICAS-related ILAO.

TAVR in Older Adults: Moving Toward a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Away From Chronological Age: JACC Family Series.

Calcific aortic stenosis can be considered a model for geriatric cardiovascular conditions due to a confluence of factors. The remarkable technological development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement was studied initially on older adult populations with prohibitive or high-risk for surgical valve replacement. Through these trials, the cardiovascular community has recognized that stratification of these chronologically older adults can be improved incrementally by invoking the concept of frailty and other geriatric risks. Given the complexity of the aging process, stratification by chronological age should only be the initial step but is no longer sufficient to optimally quantify cardiovascular and noncardiovascular risk. In this review, we employ a geriatric cardiology lens to focus on the diagnosis and the comprehensive management of aortic stenosis in older adults to enhance shared decision-making with patients and their families and optimize patient-centered outcomes. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps that are critical for future areas of study.

Palliative Care Education in Cardiovascular Disease Fellowships: A National Survey of Program Directors.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care (PC) is an essential component of high-quality care for people with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about the current state of PC education in CVD training, including attitudes toward integration of PC into training and implementation of PC by the program's leadership. METHODS: We developed a nationwide, cross-sectional survey that queried education approaches, perspectives and barriers to PC education in general CVD fellowship training. The survey was distributed to 392 members of the American College of Cardiology Program Director (PD) listserv, representing 290 general CVD fellowships between 1/2023 and 4/2023. We performed descriptive and ꭕ2 analyses of survey data. RESULTS: Of the program's representatives, 56 completed the survey (response rate = 19.3%). Respondents identified themselves as current PDs (89%), associate PDs (8.9%) or former PDs (1.8%), representing a diverse range of program sizes and types and regions of the country. Respondents reported the use of informal bedside teaching (88%), formal didactics (59%), online or self-paced modules (13%), in-person simulation (11%), and clinical rotations (16%) to teach PC content. Most programs covered PC topics at least annually, although there was variability by topic. We found no associations between program demographics and type or frequency of PC education. Most respondents reported dissatisfaction with the quantity (62%) or quality (59%) of the PC education provided. Barriers to PC education included an overabundance of other content to cover (36%) and perceived lack of fellow (20%) or faculty (18%) interest. Comments demonstrated the importance of PC education in fellowship, the lack of a requirement to provide PC education, difficulty in covering all topics, and suggestions of how PC skills should be taught. CONCLUSIONS: In a national survey of CVD educational leadership concerning approaches to PC education in CVD training, respondents highlighted both challenges to implementation of formal PC curricula in cardiology training and opportunities for comprehensive PC education.

Chronological vs Biological Age in Interventional Cardiology: A Comprehensive Approach to Care for Older Adults: JACC Family Series.

Aging is the gradual decline in physical and physiological functioning leading to increased susceptibility to stressors and chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease. With an aging global population, in which 1 in 6 individuals will be older than 60 years by 2030, interventional cardiologists are increasingly involved in providing complex care for older individuals. Although procedural aspects remain their main clinical focus, interventionalists frequently encounter age-associated risks that influence eligibility for invasive care, decision making during the intervention, procedural adverse events, and long-term management decisions. The unprecedented growth in transcatheter interventions, especially for structural heart diseases at extremes of age, have pushed age-related risks and implications for cardiovascular care to the forefront. In this JACC state-of-the-art review, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of the aging process as it relates to cardiovascular interventions, with special emphasis on the difference between chronological and biological aging. The authors also address key considerations to improve health outcomes for older patients during and after their invasive cardiovascular care. The role of "gerotherapeutics" in interventional cardiology, technological innovation in measuring biological aging, and the integration of patient-centered outcomes in the older adult population are also discussed.

Sarcopenia and aortic valve disease.

Valvular heart disease, including calcific or degenerative aortic stenosis (AS), is increasingly prevalent among the older adult population. Over the last few decades, treatment of severe AS has been revolutionised following the development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Despite improvements in outcomes, older adults with competing comorbidities and geriatric syndromes have suboptimal quality of life outcomes, highlighting the cumulative vulnerability that persists despite valve replacement. Sarcopenia, characterised by loss of muscle strength, mass and function, affects 21%-70% of older adults with AS. Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of short-term and long-term outcomes after TAVR and should be incorporated as a prognostic marker in preprocedural planning. Early diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia may reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life following TAVR. The adverse effects of sarcopenia can be mitigated through resistance training and optimisation of nutritional status. This is most efficacious when administered before sarcopenia has progressed to advanced stages. Management should be individualised based on the patient's wishes/preferences, care goals and physical capability. Exercise during the preoperative waiting period may be safe and effective in most patients with severe AS. However, future studies are needed to establish the benefits of prehabilitation in improving quality of life outcomes after TAVR procedures.

Frailty and In-Hospital Outcomes for Management of Cardiogenic Shock without Acute Myocardial Infarction.

(1) Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Frailty and cardiovascular diseases are intertwined, commonly sharing risk factors and exhibiting bidirectional relationships. The relationship of frailty and non-acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock (non-AMI-CS) is poorly described. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2020 and identified all hospitalizations for non-AMI-CS. We classified them into frail and non-frail groups according to the hospital frailty risk score cut-off of 5 and compared in-hospital outcomes. (3) Results: A total of 503,780 hospitalizations for non-AMI-CS were identified. Most hospitalizations involved frail adults (80.0%). Those with frailty had higher odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03-2.20, p < 0.001), do-not-resuscitate status, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility compared with those without frailty. They also had higher odds of in-hospital adverse events, such as acute kidney injury, delirium, and longer length of stay. Importantly, non-AMI-CS hospitalizations in the frail group had lower use of mechanical circulatory support but not rates of cardiac transplantation. (4) Conclusions: Frailty is highly prevalent among non-AMI-CS hospitalizations. Those accompanied by frailty are often associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality compared to those without frailty.

Shorter Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Older Adults After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Importance: The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for older adults after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is uncertain because they are simultaneously at higher risk for both ischemic and bleeding events. Objective: To investigate the association of abbreviated DAPT with adverse clinical events among older adults after PCI. Data Sources: The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to August 9, 2023. Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials comparing any 2 of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of DAPT were included if they reported results for adults aged 65 years or older or 75 years or older. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline was used to abstract data and assess data quality. Risk ratios for each duration of DAPT were calculated with alternation of the reference group. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome of interest was net adverse clinical events (NACE). Secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and bleeding. Results: In 14 randomized clinical trials comprising 19 102 older adults, no differences were observed in the risks of NACE or MACE for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of DAPT. However, 3 months of DAPT was associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared with 6 months of DAPT (relative risk [RR], 0.50 [95% CI, 0.29-0.84]) and 12 months of DAPT (RR, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.45-0.71]) among older adults. One month of DAPT was also associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared with 6 months of DAPT (RR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.54-0.86]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of different durations of DAPT for older adults after PCI, an abbreviated DAPT duration was associated with a lower risk of bleeding without any concomitant increase in the risk of MACE or NACE despite the concern for higher-risk coronary anatomy and comorbidities among older adults. This study, which represents the first network meta-analysis of this shortened treatment for older adults, suggests that clinicians may consider abbreviating DAPT for older adults.

Frailty in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Assessment and Impact.

Frailty, a clinical syndrome of increased vulnerability, due to diminished cognitive, physical, and physiological reserves is a growing concern in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). It contributes to morbidity, mortality, and complications and often exerts a bidirectional association with cardiovascular disease. Althought it predominately affects older adults, frailty can also be observed in younger patients less than 65 years of age, with approximately 30% of those admitted CICU are frail. Acute cardiovascular illness can also impair physical and cognitive functioning among survivors and these survivors often suffer from frailty and functional declines post-CICU discharge. Patients with frailty in the CICU often have higher comorbidity burden and they are less likely to receive optimal therapy for their acute cardiovascular conditions. Given the significance of this geriatric syndrome, this review will focus on assessment, clinical outcomes, and interventions, in an attempt to establish appropriate assessment, management, and resource utilization in frail patients during and after CICU admission.

Chronic Coronary Disease in Older Adults.

The number of older adults age ≥75 with chronic coronary disease (CCD) continues to rise. CCD is a major contributor to morbidity, mortality, and disability in older adults. Older adults are underrepresented in randomized controlled trials of CCD, which limits generalizability to older adults living with multiple chronic conditions and geriatric syndromes. This review discusses the presentation of CCD in older adults, reviews the guideline-directed medical and invasive therapies, and recommends a patient-centric approach to making treatment decisions.

Best practices for vascular arterial access and closure: a contemporary guide for the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

More than 1 million transcatheter-based cardiovascular procedures across the spectrum of interventional cardiology are performed annually in the United States. With the expanded indications for and increased complexities associated with these procedures, interventional cardiologists are expected to possess the requisite expertise to complete these interventions safely and effectively. While the art of vascular access and closure remains a prerequisite and critical skillset in contemporary practice, there remain significant variations in the techniques employed, resulting in the bleeding and vascular complications encountered in clinical practice. With an increasing recognition of the potential merits to standardized approaches to vascular access and closure, cardiovascular societies have put forth recommendations around best practices for performing these procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratories. In this review, we aim to: (1) Examine the evolving definitions of bleeding and vascular complications; (2) Review best practices for transradial and transfemoral access and closure, including for large bore procedures; and (3) Highlight knowledge gaps and proposed areas of clinical research pertaining to vascular access which may inform clinical practice and potentially optimize the outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter-based cardiac and vascular interventions.

Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at a higher risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. This review aimed to provide healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with a comprehensive overview of the available information regarding the efficacy of vaccines in pregnant women. SUMMARY: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. The search through the database for articles published between December 2019 and October 2021 was performed. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases for research publications published between December 2019 and October 2021. We focused on original research, case reports, case series, and vaccination side effect by authoritative health institutions. Phrases used for the Medical Subject Heading [MeSH] search included ("COVID-19" [MeSH]) or ("Vaccine" [MeSH]) and ("mRNA" [MeSH]) and ("Pregnant" [MeSH]). Eleven studies were selected and included, with a total of 46,264 pregnancies that were vaccinated with mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticle vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna during pregnancy. There were no randomized trials, and all studies were observational (prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional). The mean maternal age was 32.2 years, and 98.7% of pregnant women received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. The local and systemic adverse effects of the vaccination in pregnant women were analyzed and reported. The local adverse effects of the vaccination (at least 1 dose) such as local pain, swelling, and redness were reported in 32%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. The systemic adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, new onset or worsening of muscle pain, chills, fever, and joint pains were also reported in 25%, 19%, 18%, 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. The average birthweight was 3,452 g. Among these pregnancies, 0.03% were stillbirth and 3.68% preterm (<37 weeks) births. KEY MESSAGES: The systemic side effect profile after administering the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to pregnant women was similar to that in nonpregnant women. Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality were lowered with the administration of either one or both the doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Cardiogenic Shock in Older Adults: A Focus on Age-Associated Risks and Approach to Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.

Cardiogenic shock continues to portend poor outcomes, conferring short-term mortality rates of 30% to 50% despite recent scientific advances. Age is a nonmodifiable risk factor for mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock and is often considered in the decision-making process for eligibility for various therapies. Older adults have been largely excluded from analyses of therapeutic options in patients with cardiogenic shock. As a result, despite the association of advanced age with worse outcomes, focused strategies in the assessment and management of cardiogenic shock in this high-risk and growing population are lacking. Individual programs oftentimes develop upper age limits for various interventional strategies for their patients, including heart transplantation and durable left ventricular assist devices. However, age as a lone parameter should not be used to guide individual patient management decisions in cardiogenic shock. In the assessment of risk in older adults with cardiogenic shock, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach is central to developing best practices. In this American Heart Association scientific statement, we aim to summarize our contemporary understanding of the epidemiology, risk assessment, and in-hospital approach to management of cardiogenic shock, with a unique focus on older adults.

Role of Cognitive Frailty in Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease.

As the older adult population expands, an increasing number of patients affected by geriatric syndromes are seen by cardiovascular clinicians. One such syndrome that has been associated with poor outcomes is cognitive frailty: the simultaneous presence of cognitive impairment, without evidence of dementia, and physical frailty, which results in decreased cognitive reserve. Driven by common pathophysiologic underpinnings (eg, inflammation and neurohormonal dysregulation), cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and frailty also share the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, sedentary behavior, and tobacco use. Cardiovascular disease has been associated with the onset and progression of cognitive frailty, which may be reversible in early stages, making it essential for clinicians to diagnose the condition in a timely manner and prescribe appropriate interventions. Additional research is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of cognitive frailty, establish preventive and therapeutic strategies to address the needs of older patients with cardiovascular disease at risk for cognitive frailty, and ultimately facilitate targeted intervention studies.

A Randomized Comparison of Radial Artery Intimal Hyperplasia Following Distal Versus Proximal Transradial Access for Coronary Angiography: PRESERVE RADIAL.

BACKGROUND: Distal transradial access (dTRA) is an alternative to conventional forearm transradial access (fTRA) for coronary angiography (CAG). Differences in healing of the radial artery (RA) in the forearm have not been evaluated between these 2 access strategies. We sought to compare the mean difference in forearm RA intimal-medial thickening (IMT) in patients randomized to dTRA versus fTRA. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this single-center randomized clinical trial, 64 patients undergoing nonemergent CAG were randomized (1:1) to dTRA versus fTRA. Ultra-high-resolution (55-MHz) vascular ultrasound of the forearm and distal RA was performed pre-CAG and at 90 days. The primary end point was the mean change in forearm RA IMT. Secondary end points included procedural characteristics, vascular injury, RA occlusion, and ipsilateral hand pain and function. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics, mean forearm RA IMT, and procedural specifics were similar between the dTRA and fTRA cohorts. There was no difference in mean change in forearm RA IMT between the 2 cohorts (0.07 versus 0.07 mm; P=0.37). No RA occlusions or signs of major vascular injury were observed at 90 days. Ipsilateral hand pain and function (Borg pain scale score: 12 versus 11; P=0.24; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulders, and Hand scale score: 6 versus 8; P=0.46) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Following CAG, dTRA was associated with no differences in mean change of forearm RA IMT, hand pain, and function versus fTRA for CAG. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate mechanisms and predictors of RA healing and identify effective strategies to preserving RA integrity for repeated procedures. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04801901.