Evaluation of the incidence of radial artery occlusion using different introducer sheaths and hemostasis techniques.

BACKGROUND: Radial artery occlusion (RAO) remains one of the most important complications of transradial access (TRA). Despite the identification of multiple predictors, the interaction between these predictors on the occurrence of RAO has not been evaluated. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing TRA coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), were retrospectively analyzed to compare the effect of standard patent hemostasis using a one-bladder band versus two-bladder band with simultaneous ipsilateral ulnar artery compression and two introducer sizes on the primary endpoint of RAO. Access was obtained using 6-Fr slender introducer sheath or 7-Fr slender introducer sheath and hemostasis with either a one-bladder band or a two-bladder band. The radial artery was evaluated using ultrasound. RESULTS: Total of 2019 patients undergoing CA or PCI were included in the analysis. In the one-bladder band group, the incidence of RAO with a 6-Fr slender introducer sheath was 4.2%. In those receiving hemostasis with a two-bladder band, RAO occurred in 1% of patients receiving a 6-Fr slender introducer sheath versus 0.9% in those receiving a 7-Fr slender introducer sheath (p = 0.68). Larger radial artery diameter, larger body weight, and a two-bladder hemostasis band with ipsilateral ulnar compression were independently associated with a lower incidence of RAO. CONCLUSION: A two-bladder band with simultaneous ipsilateral ulnar artery compression when used for radial artery hemostasis, is associated with a lower incidence of RAO, and can mitigate the penalty for a larger catheter with reassuring implications for use of a 7-Fr capable system for complex transradial PCI.

Factors Affecting Image Resolution in a Modern Angiographic Suite: A Phantom-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in angiographic imaging systems technology provide options to decrease radiation exposure. The effect of these variations on image resolution is unknown. METHODS: Using an American National Standards Institution phantom, a high-contrast (line-pair) and low contrast (Gammex 151) phantoms, 5 second images were acquired using a Phillips Allure angiographic suite, using fluoroscopic capture (FC) as well as cineangiography (CA) in posterior anterior (PA) and left anterior oblique (LAO) projections as well as high and low table positions. Image resolutions were measured as ranked by three independent trained observers blinded to the purpose of the assessments. Comparative analyses were performed. Interobserver agreement was evaluated. RESULTS: High contrast image resolution was significantly lower with FC compared to CA (median [interquartile range], 1.69 [1.52-1.69] mm, vs 2.09 [1.88-2.09] mm, P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in between PA and LAO projections as well as low and high table positions. Low contrast resolution was also lower with FC compared to CA (5 [6.5-5] vs 3 [5-3] mm, P < 0.001). No significant differences in high-contrast or low-contrast resolution were noted between PA and LAO projections, or high and low table positions. Both low and high-contrast image resolution improved with higher radiation exposure. Good interobserver agreement was noted (Fleiss-Kappa ranging from 0.69-0.74). CONCLUSION: Image resolution was perceived to be better with CA compared to FC, although not significantly affected by beam angulation or table height. Aligning resolution needs with imaging modality and maximizing table height may improve procedural efficacy and safety.

Effects of previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery on in-hospital mortality in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: National dataset analysis.

BACKGROUND: Association of history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with clinical outcomes in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is unclear from current data. METHODS: Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 2003 to 2014, adult patients hospitalized with principal diagnosis of STEMI were extracted. The cohort was divided into patients with a history of CABG and those without a history of CABG. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality (IHM). RESULTS: 2,710,375 STEMI patients were included in final analysis of which 110,066 had history of CABG. Patients with history of CABG had higher unadjusted (12.2% vs. 8.8%, P < 0.001) and adjusted (odds ratio [OR]1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14 to1.19, P < 0.001) IHM compared to those without previous CABG. Compared to a trend of decreasing IHM in STEMI patients without previous CABG, a trend of increasing IHM was observed over the study period in those with a history of previous CABG. Although patients with previous CABG when treated with primary PCI (PPCI) had a higher unadjusted IHM compared to those without previous CABG, (4.8% vs 4.3%, P < 0.001), after adjusting for comorbidities and in-hospital complications no significant increase in IHM was observed in patients with previous CABG treated with PPCI. CONCLUSION: STEMI patients with previous CABG have a significantly higher IHM compared to those without previous CABG. PPCI improves IHM with no independent mortality disadvantage attributable to previous CABG.

Association between insurance status and in-hospital outcomes in patients with out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation arrest.

BACKGROUND: Lack of health insurance is associated with adverse clinical outcomes; however, the association between health insurance status and in-hospital outcomes after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (OHVFA) arrest is unclear. HYPOTHESIS: Lack of health insurance is associated with worse in-hospital outcomes after out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation arrest. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2014, hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of OHVFA in patients ≥18 years of age were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Patients were categorized into insured and uninsured groups based on their documented health insurance status. Study outcome measures were in-hospital mortality, utilization of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and cost of hospitalization. Inverse probability weighting adjusted binary logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and ICD utilization and linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of cost of hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 188 946 patients included in the final analyses, 178 005 (94.2%) patients were insured and 10 941 (5.8%) patients were uninsured. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality was higher (61.7% vs. 54.7%, p < .001) and ICD utilization was lower (15.3% vs. 18.3%, p < .001) in the uninsured patients. Lack of health insurance was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (O.R = 1.53, 95% C.I. [1.46-1.61]; p < .001) and lower utilization of ICD (O.R = 0.84, 95% C.I [0.79-0.90], p < .001). Cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in uninsured patients (median [interquartile range], p-value) ($) (39 650 [18 034-93 399] vs. 35 965 [14 568.50-96 163], p < .001). CONCLUSION: Lack of health insurance is associated with higher in-hospital mortality, lower utilization of ICD and higher cost of hospitalization after OHVFA.

Trends, Outcomes, and Predictive Score For Emergency Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery After Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (from a Nationwide Dataset).

The temporal trends and preprocedural predictors of emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery (ECABG) after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the contemporary era are largely unknown. From January 2003 to December 2014 elective hospitalizations with PCI as the primary procedure were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. ECABG was identified as CABG within 24 hours of elective PCI. Temporal trends of elective PCI, ECABG, comorbidities, and in-hospital mortality were analyzed. Logistic regression model was used to identify preprocedural independent predictors of ECABG and post-PCI ECABG risk score was developed using the regression coefficients from the logistic regression model in the development cohort. The score was then validated in the validation cohort. Of 1,605,641 elective PCI procedures included in the final analysis, 5,561 (0.3%) patients underwent ECABG. The incidence of ECABG, co-morbidities and overall in-hospital mortality increased over the study period, whereas the in-hospital mortality after ECABG remained unchanged. An increasing trend of elective PCI performed at facilities without on-site CABG was noted, with a higher unadjusted in-hospital mortality in this cohort. ECABG risk score, performed well with a significantly higher risk of ECABG in those patients with a score in the highest tertile compared with those with lower ECABG score (0.6% vs 0.3%, p = 0.0005). In conclusion, an increasing trend of adverse outcomes after elective PCI is observed. We describe an easy-to-use predictive score using preprocedural variables that may allow the operator to triage the patient to an appropriate setting in an effort to improve outcomes.

Association between distance from the radiation source and radiation exposure: A phantom-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The study evaluated the association between distance from radiation source and radiation exposure. BACKGROUND: Radiation exposure during medical procedures is associated with increased risk of cancer and other adverse effects. METHODS: An American National Standards Institute phantom was used to study the relationship between measured entrance surface exposure (MESE) and distance from the X-ray source in postero-anterior, left anterior oblique, and right anterior oblique projections. Three distance settings for table height were evaluated with "low" defined as 52 cm, "mid" 66 cm, and "high" 80 cm from the focal point of the X-ray source. Air-kerma and dose-area product measurements were recorded. Operator exposure with each of these conditions was measured, in a short operator (150 cm) as well as in a tall operator (190 cm). RESULTS: Aggregate results for the three projections were as follows. MESE (µGy/frame) significantly decreased as table-height increases (median, interquartile range, p-value) (low table-height 192.5 [122.4-201.2], mid table-height 105.8 [82.7-115.8], and high table-height 71.7 [58.4-75], p < .0005). The operator exposure (µGy/frame), significantly increased as the table-height increased (low table-height 0.0943 [0.0598-0.1157], medium table-height 0.1128 [0.0919-0.1397], and high table-height 0.158 [0.1339-0.2165], p < .0005). A shorter operator received higher radiation exposure compared to a taller operator (short operator 0.1405 [0.1155-0.1758] and tall operator 0.0995 [0.0798-0.1212], p < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing table-height is associated with a significant decrease in MESE. Operator radiation exposure increases with increasing table-height and shorter operators receive greater radiation exposure compared to taller operators.

Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of Digital Plethysmography Versus Duplex Ultrasound in Detecting Radial Artery Occlusion After Transradial Access.

BACKGROUND: Duplex Doppler ultrasonography (USG) remains the gold standard for evaluation of radial artery occlusion (RAO) after transradial access (TRA). The diagnostic accuracy of digital plethysmography, which is cheaper and widely available, for evaluation of RAO after TRA is not known. METHODS: Patients undergoing TRA were prospectively studied. After undergoing TRA for diagnostic or interventional coronary procedure and obtaining radial artery hemostasis, the radial artery was evaluated for presence or absence of RAO using digital plethysmography of the ipsilateral index finger and the thumb using modified reverse Barbeau's test (MRBT) and USG. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, likelihood ratios and other metrics of evaluation of diagnostic performance of MRBT in reference to USG, the current gold standard, were evaluated. RESULTS: 503 patients who underwent TRA for coronary procedures were studied. MRBT demonstrated a sensitivity = 96.2%, specificity = 99.8%, positive predictive value = 96.1, negative predictive value = 99.8, likelihood ratio (+) = 481, likelihood ratio (-) = 0.38, diagnostic accuracy = 99.6, diagnostic odds ratio = 11,904, Youden's index = 0.96, receiver operator characteristic derived c-statistic = 0.98 and Cohen's k = 0.98 when compared to USG. MRBT performed using the ipsilateral index finger and the thumb was no different. Agreement between absence of ipsilateral radial artery pulsation and RAO was weak (Cohen's k = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: MRBT using ipsilateral digital plethysmography performs comparably to USG for assessment of presence of RAO after TRA. There is no significant difference between MRBT performed using the ipsilateral thumb or the index finger.

Comparison of Robotic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Traditional Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of a Large Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Robotic percutaneous coronary intervention (R-PCI) has been shown to benefit the operator but has not shown any significant benefit to the patient. We sought to compare a large cohort of R-PCI to traditional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures performed at a tertiary care center in the same time frame. METHODS: A total of 996 consecutive patients referred for PCI between December 2017 and March 2019 were studied, of which 310 (31.1%) patients were selected to undergo R-PCI and 686 (68.9%) patients underwent traditional PCI. The coprimary study outcome measures were air kerma, dose-area product, fluoroscopy time, volume of contrast, and total procedural time. Caliper propensity-matching technique was used (caliper, 0.05) to match each R-PCI patient to the nearest traditional PCI patient without replacement. RESULTS: Air kerma (mGy; median [interquartile range]; P; 884 [537-1398] versus 1110 [699-1498]; P=0.002) and dose-area product (cGycm2; 4734 [2695-7746] versus 5746 [3751-7833]; P=0.003) were significantly lower in the R-PCI group. There was no difference in fluoroscopy time (minutes; 5.51 [3.53-8.31] versus 5.48 [3.31-9.37]; P=0.936) and contrast volume (mL; 130 [103-170] versus 140 [100-180]; P=0.905). Total procedural time (minutes) was significantly higher in the R-PCI group (27 [21-40] versus 37 [27-50]; P<0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: R-PCI is associated with a significant decrease in radiation exposure to the patient with no increase in fluoroscopy time, as well as contrast utilization, and a minor increase in procedure duration compared with traditional PCI.

Vascular Complications of the Wrist: Prevention and Management.

Transradial access has increased in utilization and has been shown to be superior compared with transfemoral access. Although infrequent, several transradial access site-related complications occur. By understanding potential mechanisms related to these complications, several prevention and treatment strategies can be implemented to mitigate adverse outcomes.

Percutaneous Treatment of Long Coronary Aneurysms: Novel Technique for Increased Efficacy and Safety.

Although covered stents have been available for percutaneous treatment of coronary aneurysms, patients with longer aneurysmal segments have been difficult to treat with covered stents. We describe a case of a right coronary artery aneurysm with an angiographically estimated length exceeding 30 mm treated percutaneously using covered stents and conventionally available hardware. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).