SAME DAY DISCHARGE VIA A DEDICATED RADIAL LOUNGE-RESULTS of 1-YEAR EXPERIENCE during the COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Background: Same day discharge (SDD) is a validated option for selected patients (pts) undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We analyzed how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced patients' admissions to and discharges from our SDD radial lounge. We focused on safety and complications. Method(s) In 2021, 817 pts (age 65+/-11 years, 28% female) were admitted to the lounge. CAG was performed in 729 pts, and 176 (24%) underwent ad hoc PCI. Furthermore, 88 pts were admitted for implantable device replacement procedures. Result(s) Out of 729 transradial CAGs 621 were performed by using the proximal radial approach (PRA) and 108 (15%) via the distal radial approach (DRA). Ninety % of all these procedures (n = 655) were performed from the nondominant left hand. PRA was associated with one radial artery occlusion (RAO) and longer compression time (92+/-24 min vs 75+/-26 min, p <0.05). In the PRA group 23 postprocedural local hematomas <5 cm (3%) and 17 hematomas <10 cm (2%) were observed but did not require specific treatment. DRA was associated with only 4 super-ficial hematomas <2 cm and no RAO. No other relevant complications occurred in the rest of pts. Ninety % of all pts (n = 732) were discharged home on the same day (<=6 hours after procedures) and none of them was readmitted within the next 24 hours. The remaining 10% of the patients (n = 85) were hospitalized after CAG and PCI, mostly because of severe coronary artery disease findings. Conclusion(s) During COVID-19 pandemic, CAG and PCI together with device replacement procedures in our SDD program were associated with a one-year saving of more than 700 overnight stays, minimal complications and 0,1% RAO rate. Supported by the Charles University Research program "Cooperatio-Cardiovascular Science" and by MH CZ-DRO (Faculty Hospital in Pilsen-FNPl, 00669806).