Is There a Relationship of Operator and Center Volume With Access Site-Related Outcomes? An Analysis From the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society

Access Site Selection and Outcomes for Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: Insights from the VA CART Program

Background

There has been increasing use of transradial access (TRA) for non-chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There are limited data on TRA for CTO PCI. The objectives of this study were to assess the temporal trends in the use of TRA versus transfemoral access (TFA), identify procedural and lesion characteristics associated with the use of TRA and TFA, and evaluate the association of access site with procedural complications and technical success among veterans undergoing attempted CTO PCI.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of veteran patients who underwent attempted CTO PCI to compare outcomes between TRA and TFA. Patients who had undergone attempted PCI of at least 1 CTO were included. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the composite primary outcome of major procedural complications, in-hospital bleeding, or 30-day mortality and the secondary outcome of procedural success.

Results

In total, 4609 patients underwent attempted CTO PCI during 2010-2017. Rates of TRA for CTO PCI increased significantly, from 7% in 2010 to 38% in 2017 (P trend < .01). A greater percentage of CTO lesions in the TFA group was calcified and >20.0 mm in length. TRA was not associated with a reduction in the composite primary outcome (TRA 3.3% vs TFA 4.0%, P = .47) or procedural success (TRA 66.6% vs TFA 65.7%, P = .74) compared with TFA.

Conclusions

In this retrospective analysis of patients who underwent attempted CTO PCI, the proportion of TRA for CTO PCI has increased over time but was not associated with a greater safety or procedural success than TFA.

Transradial versus transfemoral approach for percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), transradial access (TRA) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with less bleeding and mortality than transfemoral access (TFA). However, patients in cardiogenic shock (CS) are more often treated via TFA. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the safety and efficacy of TRA vs. TFA in CS.

METHODS

Systematic review was performed querying PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov for studies comparing TRA to TFA in PCI for CS. Outcomes included in-hospital, 30-day and ≥1-year mortality, major and access site bleeding, TIMI3 (thrombolytics in myocardial infarction) flow, procedural success, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects models.

RESULTS

Six prospective and eight retrospective studies (TRA, n = 8032; TFA, n = 23 031) were identified. TRA was associated with lower in-hospital (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.52-0.66, P < 0.0001), 30-day and ≥1-year mortality, as well as less in-hospital major (RR 0.41, 0.31-0.56, P < 0.001) and access site bleeding (RR 0.42, 0.23-0.77, P = 0.005). There were no statistically significant differences in post-PCI coronary flow grade, procedural success, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume between TRA vs. TFA.

CONCLUSIONS

In PCI for STEMI with CS, TRA is associated with significantly lower mortality and bleeding complications than TFA while achieving similar TIMI3 flow and procedural success rates.

British Cardiovascular Intervention Society registry framework: a quality improvement initiative on behalf of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR)

The British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry is hosted by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) at Bart's Heart Centre and collects clinical characteristics, indications, procedural details, and outcomes of all patients undergoing PCI in the UK. The data are used for audit and research to monitor and improve PCI practices and patient outcomes. Bespoke live data analysis and structured monthly reports are used to provide real-time feedback to all participating hospitals about the provision of care. Risk-adjusted analyses are used as a quality metric and benchmarking PCI practices. The consecutive patients undergoing PCI in all PCI performing hospitals in the UK from 1994 to present. One hundred and thirteen variables encompassing patient demographics, indication, procedural details, complications, and in-hospital outcomes are recorded. Prospective data are collected electronically and encrypted before transfer to central database servers. Data are validated locally and further range checks, sense checks, and assessments of internal consistency are applied during data uploads. Analyses of uploaded data including an assessment of data completeness are provided to all hospitals for validation, with repeat validation rounds prior to public reporting. Endpoints are in-hospital PCI complications, bleeding and mortality. All-cause mortality is obtained via linkage to the Office of National Statistics. No other linkages are available at present. Available for research by application to NICOR at http://www.nicor.org.uk/ using a data sharing agreement.

Use of Prospective Radiobrachial Angiography in Transradial Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the utility of prospective radiobrachial angiography (pRBA) in transradial coronary angiography and intervention as a method for reducing procedural complications.

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence has supported the transradial approach (TRA) as superior to the transfemoral approach (TFA) due to advantages such as reduced bleeding and improved outcomes in high-risk patients. However, TRA has a higher failure rate than TFA, and has seen slow rates of adoption among United States operators.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single center, case-control analysis of coronary angiography procedures, performed by two experienced operators at the University of Chicago Medical Center between October 28, 2015 and July 21, 2017. Operator 1 began using pRBA during the study, whereas Operator 2 used pRBA in all TRA procedures. There were 567 patients stratified into three groups based on operator and pRBA use. Comparisons of procedural outcomes for Operator 1 before and after adoption of pRBA, and of outcomes between Operator 1 and Operator 2 were made.

RESULTS

Use of pRBA was associated with reduced overall procedural complication rates (2.5% versus 10.4%, p = 0.004), driven primarily by reflexive radiobrachial angiography (rRBA) after resistance or pain was encountered (8.6% versus 0.0%, p = 0.0001) for Operator 1. A slight reduction in contrast associated with pRBA for Operator 1 was noted, but no difference in procedural time, radiation dose, or additional equipment used across groups was found. No significant difference in adverse procedural outcomes between the pRBA groups of Operator 1 and Operator 2 were observed. In patients with radiobrachial variants in anatomy, use of pRBA was associated with shorter times to cross anatomic lesions, shorter procedure times, reduced use of extra catheters, and less perforations and crossovers compared to patients requiring rRBA. Lack of pRBA was associated with higher procedural complications (hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI, 1.03-1.13, p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

pRBA may be a useful tool for mitigating procedural complications, reducing time needed to cross difficult radiobrachial anatomy, and reducing the need to utilize additional equipment in TRA. pRBA may offer operators a tool to improve outcomes and increase adoption of this approach.

Vascular Access Site and Outcomes in 58,870 Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With a Previous History of Coronary Bypass Surgery: Results From the British Cardiovascular Interventions Society National Database

OBJECTIVES

Using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) database, access site choice and outcomes of patients undergoing PCI with previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were studied.

BACKGROUND

Given the influence of access site on outcomes, use of radial access in PCI-CABG warrants further investigation.

METHODS

Data were analyzed from 58,870 PCI-CABG procedures performed between 2005 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of access site choice and its association with outcomes.

RESULTS

The number of PCI-CABG cases and the percentage of total PCI increased significantly during the study period. Femoral artery (FA) utilization fell from 90.8% in 2005 to 57.6% in 2014 (p < 0.001), with no differences in the rate of change of left versus right radial use. In contemporary study years (2012 to 2014), female sex, acute coronary syndrome presentation, chronic total occlusion intervention, and lower operator volume were independently associated with FA access. Length of stay was shortened in the radial cohort. Unadjusted outcomes including an access site complication (1.10% vs. 0.30%; p < 0.001), blood transfusion (0.20% vs. 0.04%; p < 0.001), major bleeding (1.30% vs. 0.40%; p < 0.001), and in-hospital death (1.10% vs. 0.60%; p = 0.001) were more likely to occur with FA access compared with radial access. After adjustment, although arterial complications, transfusion, and major bleeding remained more common with FA use, short- and longer-term mortality and major adverse cardiac event rates were similar.

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary practice, FA access remains predominant during PCI-CABG with case complexity associated with it use. FA use was associated with longer length of stay, and higher rates of vascular complications, major bleeding, and transfusion.

Radial versus femoral vascular access in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Are the results of femoral operators unfairly represented in observational research?

BACKGROUND

Recent randomized controlled trials comparing femoral and radial access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) have shown conflicting results regarding the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding.

METHODS

Using data from the HEAT-PPCI trial, we compared the primary efficacy (all-cause mortality, stroke, new myocardial infarction or unplanned repeat revascularization) and safety (major bleeding BARC 3-5) outcomes at 28 days, by final access site used (radial or femoral) and by default operator type. We then assessed outcomes in femoral cases performed by both operator types.

RESULTS

Radial access (RA) was associated with fewer MACE (91/1472 = 6.2% vs. 36/332 = 10.8% P = .003) and major bleeding events (38/1472 = 2.6% vs 22/332 = 6.6% P = .001) when compared to femoral access (FA). When analyzing outcomes by default operator type, there was a similar incidence of MACE (111/1575 = 7% vs 16/229 = 7% P = .97) and major bleeding events (49/1575 = 3.1% vs 11/229 = 4.8% P = .18). In cases where FA was performed by default radial operators, there was a higher rate of MACE (22/122 = 18% vs 14/210 = 6.7% P = .003) and major bleeding events (11/122 = 9% vs 11/210 = 5.2% P < .001), potentially explained by a higher risk profile in these cases.

CONCLUSION

Default femoral operators achieved comparable outcomes when compared to default radial operators. The less favorable outcomes observed in FA cases may result from its selective use by radial operators in high risk cases.

Alternative access site choice after initial radial access site failure for coronary angiography and intervention

Background

Transradial access for coronary catheterization is more technically challenging compared to the traditional transfemoral approach and radial access failure is quite common. The aim of this study is to describe the additional steps after initial radial access site failure in a high specialized forearm approach center.

Methods

A retrospective evaluation of all coronary catheterizations performed in our Department between January 2016 and December 2016 was performed, with focus on arterial access.

Results

One thousand three hundred forty six procedures were evaluated. The initial access site used was right radial [1173 procedures (87.1%)], left radial [120 procedures (8.9%)], right ulnar [7 procedures (0.5%)], left ulnar [40 procedures (2.9%)] and femoral approach [6 procedures (0.4%)]. Radial artery cannulation failure was observed in 37 procedures (2.9% of 1293 procedures with initial radial approach). Failure of procedure completion after successful radial sheath insertion was observed in 46 procedures (3.6%). The alternative access site after initial radial approach failure was contralateral radial [43 procedures (51.8%)], ipsilateral ulnar [22 procedures (26.5%), contralateral ulnar [12 patients (14.5%)] and femoral approach [6 procedures (7.2%)].

Conclusion

Forearm arteries can be used as alternative access site after initial radial approach failure in order to reduce the use of femoral approach during cardiac catheterization.

Incidence, Determinants, and Outcomes of Left and Right Radial Access Use in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the United Kingdom: A National Perspective Using the BCIS Dataset

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to determine the relationships between left radial access (LRA) or right radial access (RRA) and clinical outcomes using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) database.

BACKGROUND

LRA has been shown to offer procedural advantages over RRA in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) although few data exist from a national perspective around its use and association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The authors investigated the relationship between use of LRA or RRA and clinical outcomes of in-hospital or 30-day mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), in-hospital stroke, and major bleeding complications in patients undergoing PCI between 2007 and 2014.

RESULTS

Of 342,806 cases identified, 328,495 (96%) were RRA and 14,311 (4%) were LRA. Use of LRA increased from 3.2% to 4.6% from 2007 to 2014. In patients undergoing a repeat PCI procedure, the use of RRA dropped to 72% at the second procedure and was even lower in females (65%) and patients >75 years of age (70%). Use of LRA (compared with RRA) was not associated with significant differences in in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90 to 1.57; p = 0.20), 30-day mortality (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.74; p = 0.16), MACE (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.32; p = 0.56), or major bleeding (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.87 to 1.77; p = 0.24). In propensity match analysis, LRA was associated with a significant decrease in in-hospital stroke (OR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.82; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In this large PCI database, use of LRA is limited compared with RRA but conveys no increased risk of adverse outcomes, but may be associated with a reduction in PCI-related stroke complications.

Temporal changes in radial access use, associates and outcomes in patients undergoing PCI using rotational atherectomy between 2007 and 2014: results from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society national database

AIMS

Access site choice for cases requiring rotational atherectomy (PCI-ROTA) is poorly defined. Using the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society PCI database, temporal changes and contemporary associates/outcomes of access site choice for PCI-ROTA were studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data were analysed from 11,444 PCI-ROTA procedures performed in England and Wales between 2007 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of access site choice and its association with outcomes.

RESULTS

For PCI-ROTA, radial access increased from 19.6% in 2007 to 58.6% in 2014. Adoption of radial access was slower in females, those with prior CABG, and in patients with chronic occlusive (CTO) or left main disease. In 2013/14, the strongest predictors of femoral artery use were age (OR 1.02, [1.005-1.036], P = .008), CTO intervention (OR 1.95, [1.209-3.314], P = .006), and history of previous CABG (OR 1.68, [1.124-2.515], P = .010). Radial access was associated with reductions in overall length of stay, and increased rates of same-day discharge. Procedural success rates were similar although femoral access use was associated with increased access site complications (2.4 vs. 0.1%, P < .001). After adjustment for baseline differences, arterial complications (OR 15.6, P < .001), transfusion (OR 12.5, P = .023) and major bleeding OR 6.0, P < .001) remained more common with FA use. Adjusted mortality and MACE rates were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In contemporary practice, radial access for PCI-ROTA results in similar procedural success when compared to femoral access but is associated with shorter length of stay, and lower rates of vascular complication, major bleeding and transfusion.

Stent and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration Comparisons in the Setting of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial: Can the Operator Experience Affect the Study Results?

Background

Operator experience influences outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention, but this association in the controlled setting of a randomized, clinical trial is unclear.

Methods and Results

We investigated operator‐related outcomes (30‐day and 2‐year efficacy and safety end points) among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and randomized to different dual antiplatelet therapy durations and stent types. A total of 2003 patients were analyzed, and 7 operator groups were compared. The majority of preprocedural and postprocedural characteristics were imbalanced. The primary end point of the study, the composite of death, myocardial infarction, or cerebrovascular accidents, did not differ among operators at 30 days or 2 years. There were no significant differences also for all other individual and composite end points analyzed at 30 days and 2 years, except for 2‐year stent thrombosis (P=0.048) and bleeding events (P=0.022 for Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5). Adjusted comparisons for the main end points showed slight differences among operators at 30 days, but not at 2 years. There was no interaction of operator with dual antiplatelet therapy duration (P=0.112) or stent type (P=0.300). Results remained entirely consistent when operators were stratified by their experience.

Conclusions

There was a weak signal of heterogeneity across study operators for the 30‐day, but not the 2‐year, main study outcomes. No clear effect of operator or operator experience was observed for the comparative efficacy and safety profile of the randomized stent types or dual antiplatelet therapy duration regimens.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00611286.

Predictors of Technical Failure in Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention

Transradial access for coronary angiography and intervention is preferred over the femoral approach but can be technically challenging. Identification of predictors of transradial access failure is important, especially in the context of acute coronary syndromes. We therefore retrospectively analyzed 13,095 consecutive patients (66 ± 12 years, 64% male) in whom transradial access was attempted for coronary angiography or intervention to identify predictors of transradial access failure. Angiograms and patient files were systematically reviewed to analyze patient characteristics associated with failure. Transradial access failure rate was 6.8% (909 of 13,095). Patients with transradial access failure were more frequently female (9.5% vs 5.5%; p <0.001), significantly older (68 ± 12 vs 66 ± 12 years, p <0.001), and had a smaller body surface area (1.89 ± 0.21 vs 1.94 ± 0.2 m²; p <0.001). Transradial failure was not significantly more frequent in ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus other patients (8.1% vs 6.9%, p = 0.195). After multivariable adjustment, only female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, p <0.001), higher patient age (OR 1.01/year, p = 0.002), and lower height (OR 0.98/cm, p = 0.004) independently predicted transradial access failure. In conclusion, female sex, higher age, and smaller height independently predict transradial access failure in coronary angiography and intervention. Failure rate in ST-elevation myocardial infarction is not significantly increased.

RECALMIN: The association between management of Spanish National Health Service Internal Medical Units and health outcomes

Objective

To investigate the association between management of Internal Medical Units (IMUs) with outcomes (mortality and length of stay) within the Spanish National Health Service.

Design

Data on management were obtained from a descriptive transversal study performed among IMUs of the acute hospitals. Outcome indicators were taken from an administrative database of all hospital discharges from the IMUs.

Setting

Spanish National Health Service.

Participants

One hundred and twenty-four acute general hospitals with available data of management and outcomes (401 424 discharges).

Main Outcome Measures

IMU risk standardized mortality rates were calculated using a multilevel model adjusted by Charlson Index. Risk standardized myocardial infarction and heart failure mortality rates were calculated using specific multilevel models. Length of stay was adjusted by complexity.

Results

Greater hospital complexity was associated with longer average length of stays (r: 0.42; P < 0.001). Crude in-hospital mortality rates were higher at larger hospitals, but no significant differences were found when mortality was risk adjusted. There was an association between nurse workload with mortality rate for selected conditions (r: 0.25; P = 0.009). Safety committee and multidisciplinary ward rounds were also associated with outcomes.

Conclusions

We have not found any association between complexity and intra-hospital mortality. There is an association between some management indicators with intra-hospital mortality and the length of stay. Better disease-specific outcomes adjustments and a larger number of IMUs in the sample may provide more insights about the association between management of IMUs with healthcare outcomes.

Hand dysfunction after transradial artery catheterization for coronary procedures

AIM

To sythesize the available literature on hand dysfunction after transradial catheterization.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE. The search results were reviewed by two independent judicators for studies that met the inclusion criteria and relevant reviews. We included studies that evaluated any transradial procedure and evaluated hand function outcomes post transradial procedure. There were no restrictions based on sample size. There was no restriction on method of assessing hand function which included disability, nerve damage, motor or sensory loss. There was no restriction based on language of study. Data was extracted, these results were narratively synthesized.

RESULTS

Out of 555 total studies 13 studies were finally included in review. A total of 3815 participants with mean age of 62.5 years were included in this review. A variety of methods were used to assess sensory and motor dysfunction of hand. Out of 13 studies included, only 3 studies reported nerve damage with a combined incidence of 0.16%, 5 studies reported sensory loss, tingling and numbness with a pooled incidence of 1.52%. Pain after transradial access was the most common form of hand dysfunction (6.67%) reported in 3 studies. The incidence of hand dysfunction defined as disability, grip strength change, power loss or any other hand complication was incredibly low at 0.26%. Although radial artery occlusion was not our primary end point for this review, it was observed in 2.41% of the participants in total of five studies included.

CONCLUSION

Hand dysfunction may occur post transradial catheterisation and majority of symptoms resolve without any clinical sequel.