ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Interventional cardiologists prefer the right radial artery (RA) approach for coronary angiography and interventions, mainly for ergonomic reasons. However, the use of the left RA presents certain advantages, and the snuffbox approach has further potential advantages, including lower probability for RA occlusion, avoidance of direct puncture of the RA (thus maintaining its suitability for use as a graft), as well as easier and faster hemostasis. METHODS: Consecutive patients scheduled for coronary catheterization were included, using the left distal RA (ldRA) in the anatomical snuffbox as the default vascular access site. RESULTS: Out of 2034 consecutive cases, the ldRA was used as initial vascular access in 1977 patients (97.2%). The procedural failure rate was 9.9% (21.9% inability to puncture the artery, 75.0% inability to advance the wire, 3.1% other reasons). There was a sharp decrease in failure rate after about the first 200 cases (20.8% in the first decile vs 8.7% throughout the rest of the caseload; P<.001). No or very weak palpable pulse was the most important predictor of failure (odds ratio, 16.0; 95% confidence interval, 11.2-23.1; P<.001), in addition to older age, small stature, and female gender (although, after adjustment for height, the latter was no longer significant). CONCLUSION: In a large series of consecutive patients scheduled for left heart catheterization, through a period of 12 months, with virtually no exclusions except those few imposed by anatomy or compelling clinical needs, the ldRA arterial access approach was shown to be highly effective, feasible, and safe.
Subject(s)
Cardiologists , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Cardiac Catheterization , Coronary Angiography , Female , Humans , Punctures , Radial Artery/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Electrophysiology (EP) procedures are nowadays the gold-standard method for tachyarrhythmia treatment with impressive success rates, but also with a considerable risk of complications, mainly vascular. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the safety of ultrasound (US)-guided femoral vein access in EP procedures compared to the traditional anatomic landmark-guided method. METHODS: We searched Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases for relevant entries, dated from January 1st, 2000 to June 30th, 2021. Only observational studies and randomized controlled trials were included in this analysis. Data extraction included study details, patient characteristics, procedure details, and all types of vascular complications. Complications were classified as major if any intervention, prolongation of hospitalization, or readmission was required. RESULTS: 9 studies (1 randomized controlled trial and 8 observational), with 7858 participants (3743 in the US-guided group, 4115 in the control group), were included in the meta-analysis. Overall vascular complication rates were significantly decreased in the US-guided group compared to the control group (1.2 versus 3.2%, RR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.27-0.53), in all EP procedures. Sub-group analysis of AF ablation procedures yielded similar results (RR 0.41, 95% CI, 0.29-0.58, p < 0.00001). The event reduction effect was significant for both major and minor vascular complications. CONCLUSION: US-guided vascular access in EP procedures is associated with significantly reduced vascular complications, compared to the standard anatomic landmark-guided approach, regardless of procedure complexity.
ABSTRACT
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has gained recognition in recent years as a non-atherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially in young and middle-aged women without any of the classic risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The booming use of coronary angiography in patients presenting with ACS combined with new, revolutionary methods of intravascular imaging, have led to increased rates of SCAD diagnosis. We aim to present a brief, up-to-date review of the existing literature, along with our experience as reflected in the recent management of nine SCAD cases in three tertiary care hospitals.
