One-stage coronary angiography and angioplasty

Guidance on reuse of cardio-vascular catheters and devices in India: A consensus document

Reuse of medical device is accepted worldwide. Benefits of reuse include not only cost saving but a favorable impact on environment. However, certain requirements should be met for reuse to be safe and effective. The devices, which can be reused, should be clearly defined, a meticulous process for dis-infection and sterilization followed and its functionality ascertained before use. Further, an appropriate consent should be obtained where necessary and the cost saving entailed should be directly passed on to the patient.

A rare case of radial arteriovenous fistula after coronary angiography

The percutaneous transfemoral approach has been routinely used for cardiac catheterization and coronary angioplasty. Local vascular complications following angioplasty are seen in 5% to 10% of patients, especially in those who need prolonged anticoagulation. Transradial access for coronary procedures dramatically reduces access site complications. We report a rare case of radial arteriovenous fistula, which developed after coronary angiography perfomed using the transradial approach.

Should interventional cardiac catheterization procedures take place at the time of diagnostic procedures?

BACKGROUND

In many cardiac catheterization laboratories interventional procedures are performed at a date later than the diagnostic study, causing increased hospital days and costs. Few data exist which compare procedural success, complications, and costs between procedures performed at the time of diagnostic study and those performed later.

HYPOTHESIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and success of same-day interventional procedures and to quantitate hospital cost savings with this strategy.

METHOD

In all, 357 consecutive patients who underwent an elective interventional procedure of a native coronary artery either at the time of diagnostic study (same day, n = 244) or later (delayed, n = 113) were reviewed. Procedural success [< 30% residual lesion post-percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or 0% residual lesion post-stent], major complications [death, emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), myocardial infarction, and ventricular fibrillation], hospital days, and costs were analyzed. Procedural expense, including the diagnostic and interventional procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and hospital expense were analyzed.

RESULTS

Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, coronary risk factors, indications (myocardial infarction, unstable angina, abnormal stress test), the culprit coronary artery, type of intervention (PTCA, stent), and lesion complexity (type A, B, C). The average hospital stay for the two groups was 4.37 +/- 2 and 6.55 +/- 2.4 days, respectively (p < 0.0001). The procedural charges were $8,207.99 and 10,581.87, respectively (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Catheter intervention performed at the same time as the diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedure is as successful and as safe as that performed at a later date. Hospital stay and costs, as well as procedural expenses are significantly reduced by this practice.

Outcomes following immediate (ad hoc) versus staged percutaneous coronary interventions (report from the 2000 to 2001 New York State Angioplasty Registry)

Health care providers are under increasing pressure to lower costs by combining diagnostic and "ad hoc" interventional coronary procedures. Despite increasing use of such a treatment strategy, its effect on periprocedural safety has not been rigorously assessed in the current stent era. Using the 2000/2001 New York State Angioplasty Registry, we compared in-hospital clinical outcomes in 47,020 patients who underwent ad hoc percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) versus staged procedures. Patients with previous PCIs, acute myocardial infarction within 24 hours, thrombolytic therapy within 7 days, or those presenting with hemodynamic instability or shock were excluded. Patients in the staged intervention group were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, previous stroke, heart failure, renal failure, previous coronary artery bypass grafting, and a lower left ventricular ejection fraction. Mortality rate (0.4% vs 0.4%, p = 0.299), major adverse cardiac events (0.7% vs 0.8%, p = 0.199), and incidence of renal failure/dialysis (0.1% vs 0.1%, p = 0.520) during in-hospital stay did not differ significantly between the ad hoc PCI and staged groups. There was a higher rate of access site injury in the staged cohort (0.4% vs 0.3%, p = 0.011), and this trend persisted after multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 1.34, 95% confidence interval 0.99 to 1.81, p = 0.061). In addition, patients with "high-risk" features had similar in-hospital clinical outcomes after either treatment approach. In conclusion, as currently practiced in New York State, the strategy of ad hoc PCI in selected patient cohorts appears to be as safe as the strategy of staged procedures.

Ad Hoc percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with stable coronary artery disease—A study of prevalence, safety, and variation in use from the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR®)

OBJECTIVE

To utilize the American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR) to monitor the performance and safety of ad hoc PCIs.

BACKGROUND

The performance of ad hoc PCI remains controversial. Patients' preference, cost, and vascular access issues favor an ad hoc strategy. Adequate time for thoughtful decision-making, scheduling complexity, informed consent, and physician reimbursement favor PCI on a subsequent day.

METHODS

We analyzed results in 68,528 patients with stable angina entered in the ACC-NCDR from 2001-2003. Ad hoc PCI was evaluated in many clinical and nonclinical subgroups. A multivariable analysis was performed to determine whether ad hoc PCI had an independent relationship with complications or procedure success.

RESULTS

Overall, 60.6% of patients underwent ad hoc PCI. There was no difference in ad hoc PCI mortality, renal failure, or vascular complications from staged PCI. A lower percentage of patients at high vs. low risk and with vs. without renal failure underwent ad hoc PCIs (58.6% vs.63.0% and 50.7% vs. 60.9% respectively). There was wide variation in the performance of ad hoc PCIs according to payer (70.2-60.3%), hospital PCI volume (67-50.2%), hospital owner (89.7-59.6%), and geographic area (75.5-47.4%). Ad hoc PCI per se was not independently related to PCI success or complications.

CONCLUSIONS

PCI success was related to patient/lesion related factors and not to the performance of ad hoc PCIs per se. Although ad hoc PCI can be performed in more patients than at present, this strategy will never be possible in all patients at all times.

SCAI statement on ad hoc versus the separate performance of diagnostic cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention

Coronary intervention may be combined with diagnostic cardiac catheterization or performed separately. In the early years of angioplasty, performing these procedures separately was standard practice. Gradually, ad hoc intervention (performing diagnostic angiography and coronary intervention within the same session) has become more common, largely because of its convenience for patients and efficiency for physicians. However, the safety and potential cost savings of this approach remain uncertain. Criteria for the appropriate use of ad hoc intervention have not been established. Ad hoc intervention is reasonable for many, but not appropriate for all patients and should not be considered standard therapy. This document updates an earlier review of this topic and provides suggestions for the use of ad hoc intervention as a routine strategy.

Ad hoc transradial coronary angioplasty strategy: experience and results in a single centre

BACKGROUND

The combination of diagnostic and angioplasty as a single procedure is becoming common practice in many institutions, but the feasibility of this strategy performed with the transradial approach in a large group of patients has not been evaluated. This study was performed to explore the feasibility, safety and cost-effectiveness of the transradial approach as a single procedure for diagnostic angiography and angioplasty, including stent implantation.

METHODS

From February 1999 and November 2000 the percutaneous transradial approach was attempted in 800 patients with functional radial arch attested using Allen's test. Interventional procedures, PTCA and stent implantation, when indicated and appropriated, have been performed as a single procedure.

RESULTS

Out of 800 patients submitted to coronarography, 390 were treated with PTCA and or stent implantation as single procedure. In this group of patients, 425 lesions (1.2 lesions/patient) were treated. A PTCA was performed in 98 (23.5%) lesions and PTCA plus stent implantation were performed in 327 (76.5%) lesions. Procedural success was achieved in 419/425 lesions (98.5%) in the radial group and in 98% in the staged group. The mean time to place the sheath was longer in the transradial group (P<0.01), but the time required to obtain hemostasis was markedly shorter in the transradial patients (P<0.01); no differences in fluoroscopy time, contrast volume and catheters per case was found. Access site bleeding complications were significantly reduced in the radial group (P<0.01) and total hospital length of stay was lesser in the radial group (mean days 1.9) as compared to femoral group (mean days 2.9) with a reduction of total hospital charge. The reduction of costs for 100 patients was Euro 78,000.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that a combined strategy of angiography and angioplasty via the radial artery is feasible, safe, more comfortable for the patient, and more cost-effective than a staged procedure. This approach might be ideal for outpatient or ad hoc invasive coronary procedures.

Safety, efficacy, and cost advantages of combined coronary angiography and angioplasty

AIM

The safety and efficacy of ad hoc PTCA has been previously reported and this approach is performed in many angioplasty centers as a routine procedure. The aim of this study is to examine whether this approach reduces the length, and cost of hospital stay.

METHODS AND RESULTS

To determine the hospital costs we studied 2,440 PTCAs over 11 years in our institution (1990-2000). Urgent PTCA for acute coronary syndromes refractory to medical treatment were excluded. In 1809 patients (74%) angioplasty was performed immediately after coronary angiography, while separate procedures were performed in 631 patients. Indication for PTCA was unstable angina in 1342 patients (55%). In the ad hoc PTCA group, 92% of the culprit lesions were successfully treated; complications included myocardial infarction (2%), urgent bypass surgery (0.6%) and death (0.9%). The rate of combined procedure progressively increased from 54% in 1990 to 88% in 2000, with a significant decrease in the rate of complications. After adjusting for clinical and angiographic differences between combined and separate procedures, angiographic success and complication rates were not statistically different in the two groups. Mean length of hospital stay decreased all along the years, and was 45% less in the ad hoc PTCA group (11.4 +/- 6.9 vs 18.2 +/- 7.7 in 1990, 5.4 +/- 4.3 vs 10.8 +/- 5.7 in 2000, P < 0.0001). The cost was 40% lower in the ad hoc PTCA group. For patients with stable angina, the savings were 49%, and for those with unstable angina, they were 29%.

CONCLUSION

In the era of coronary stenting, ad hoc PTCA can be performed in most of the patients as safely and successfully as a separate procedure. It reduces the length, and the cost of hospital stay in patients with stable or unstable angina.

Elevation of ELISA d-dimer levels in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND

Vasoconstriction, vascular wall remodeling and thrombosis are considered as possible etiologies of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). D-dimer, a degradation product of fibrin, has been increasingly used as a marker and prognostic factor in various diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To assess elevated ELISA D-dimer levels as a marker of endogenous fibrinolysis in patients with PPH.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Comparison of ELISA D-dimer levels of 12 PPH patients (11 female, 1 male) aged 27-73 years (median 51 years) with those of sex- and age-matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

Eleven patients had New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or IV symptoms, and one patient had NYHA class II symptoms. All patients with PPH were treated with anticoagulants and vasodilators: 5 patients were treated with continuous intravenous prostacyclin, 4 patients with continuous UT-15 and 2 patients with intermittent intravenous iloprost. Mean ELISA D-dimer levels +/- SD were significantly higher in the PPH group than in the matched control group (473 +/- 109 vs. 182 +/- 103 ng/ml; mean difference: 291 +/- 79, 95% CI: 240-341, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest the possible involvement of endogenous fibrinolysis in the pathophysiology of PPH.

Searching the ideal inhaled vasodilator: from nitric oxide to prostacyclin

Today, the technique to directly administer vasodilators via the airway to treat pulmonary hypertension and to improve pulmonary gas exchange is widely accepted among clinicians. The flood of scientific work focussing on this new therapeutic concept had been initiated by a fundamental new observation by Pepke-Zaba [1]and Frostell in 1991 [2]: Both scientists reported, that inhalation of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) gas selectively dilates pulmonary vessels without a concomittant systemic vasodilation. No more than another decade ago NO was identified as an important endogenous vasodilator [3]while having merely been regarded an environmental pollutant before that time. Although inhaled NO proved to be efficacious, alternatives were sought-after due to NO's potential side-effects. In search for the ideal inhaled vasodilator another group of endogenous mediators -- the prostanoids -- came into the focus of interest. The evidence for safety and efficacy of inhaled prostanoids is -- among a lot of other valuable work -- based on a series of experimental and clinical investigations that have been performed or designed at the Institute for Surgical Research under the guidance and mentorship of Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. mult. K. Messmer [4-19]. In the following, the current and newly emerging clinical applications of inhaled prostanoids and the experimental data which they are based on, will be reviewed.

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous coronary interventions performed immediately after diagnostic catheterization in northern new england and comparison with similar procedures performed later

"Ad hoc" percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs)-those performed immediately after diagnostic catheterization-have been reported in earlier studies to be safe with a suggestion of higher risk in certain subgroups. Despite increasing use of this strategy, no data are available in recent years with new device technology. We studied use of an ad hoc strategy in a large regional population to determine its use and outcomes compared with staged procedures. A database from the 6 centers performing PCIs in northern New England and 1 center in Massachusetts was analyzed. During 1997, excluding only patients requiring emergency procedures or those with a prior PCI, 4,136 PCIs were performed, 1,748 (42.3%) of these being ad hoc procedures. Patients having ad hoc procedures were less likely to have peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, prior myocardial infarction, or coronary artery bypass surgery, congestive heart failure, or poor left ventricular function, and more likely to have received preprocedural intravenous heparin or nitroglycerin or to have required an urgent procedure. Narrowings treated during ad hoc procedures were less frequently types B and C or in saphenous vein grafts. Adjusted rates of clinical success were not different between ad hoc and non-ad hoc procedures (93.7% vs 93.6%); there was no difference in the incidence of death (0.6% vs 0.5%), emergency (0. 9% vs 0.8%) or any (1.4% vs 0.8%) coronary artery bypass surgery, or myocardial infarction (2.6% vs 2.0%). As currently practiced in our region, ad hoc intervention is used selectively with outcomes similar for ad hoc and non-ad hoc procedures.

Acute tubular necrosis due to captopril

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are standard therapy for congestive cardiac failure. ACE inhibitors have been used worldwide and are usually safe and have relatively few side effects. Hypotension can develop with the first dose of captopril and can lead to symptomatic renal hypoperfusion with subsequent acute renal failure (ARF). The case of a 65-year-old patient with congestive heart failure who developed acute renal failure following the first dose of captopril is described. He required hemodialysis for 8 weeks for the improvement of his renal function and urinary output. The renal biopsy confirmed the presence of acute tubular necrosis. The reversibility of captopril-induced ARF is confirmed and the patient made an uneventful recovery. An immunoallergic mechanism is not thought to have been responsible for this adverse effect. It is advised that caution should be exerted in giving ACE inhibitors to elderly patients with congestive heart failure, particularly if they are on diuretics. Routine biochemical monitoring is suggested before and during captopril therapy.

Ad hoc coronary intervention

Ad hoc coronary intervention is a percutaneous revascularization procedure performed at the same sitting as diagnostic cardiac catheterization. While this appears to be an efficient strategy, the safety and cost of ad hoc coronary intervention compared with delayed coronary intervention have not been clearly documented. Special preparation and precautions are necessary for patients in whom ad hoc coronary intervention is anticipated. Ad hoc coronary intervention is not appropriate if informed consent has not been previously obtained or if it would pose greater risks than delayed intervention. While ad hoc coronary intervention is often efficient and effective, its use should be individualized. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:130-134, 2000.

Prostacyclin reduces microvascular fluid conductivity in cat skeletal muscle through opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels

Prostacyclin is suggested to reduce microvascular permeability, but the cellular mechanisms mediating this response in the microvascular endothelial cells are still unknown. Considering that prostacyclin relaxes vascular smooth muscle cells via opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels, and opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels in the endothelial cells is suggested to influence microvascular permeability, this study was designed to test (1) if ATP-dependent potassium channels are involved in the regulation of microvascular hydraulic permeability, (2) if the permeability-reducing effect of prostacyclin is mediated through opening of ATP-dependent potassium channels, and (3) if cAMP is involved in this process. An autoperfused cat calf hindlimb was used as experimental model, and microvascular hydraulic permeability (conductivity) was estimated by a capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) technique. The potassium channel opener PCO-400 (0.5 microg x min(-1) per 100 g muscle, intra-arterially), prostacyclin (1 ng x min(-1) per kg body weight, intravenously) and the cAMP analogue dibutyryl-cAMP (24 microg x min(-1) per 100 g muscle, intra-arterially), decreased CFC to 77, 72 and 69% compared to control, respectively (p < 0.01). The decrease in CFC obtained by these substances was completely restituted after the start of a simultaneous infusion of the ATP-dependent potassium channel blocker glibenclamide (6 microg x min(-1) per 100 g muscle, intra-arterially; p < 0.01). Infusion of glibenclamide alone increased CFC to 107% of control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the ATP-dependent potassium channels contribute to the regulation of microvascular hydraulic conductivity, and the prostacyclin permeability-reducing effect may act through this mechanism via increase in intracellular cAMP.

Functional assessment of coronary artery stenosis by doppler derived absolute and relative coronary blood flow velocity reserve in comparison with (99m)Tc MIBI SPECT

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relation between the relative and absolute coronary blood flow velocity reserve (CFVR) compared with the results of (99m)Tc MIBI single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

METHODS

In 37 patients with one vessel disease, (99m)Tc MIBI SPECT was performed before angioplasty, two to three weeks after angioplasty, and at six months' follow up. CFVR was measured distal to the stenosis (dCFVR) as well as in a reference coronary artery before angioplasty, immediately after angioplasty, and at late follow up. Relative CFVR (rCFVR) was calculated as the ratio between dCFVR and CFVR measured in the reference coronary artery. The optimal thresholds for reversible perfusion defects were calculated using receiver operating characteristic curves.

RESULTS

The agreement for the full range of coronary artery stenosis (n = 107, mean (SD) diameter stenosis 48 (28)%, range 0-98%) between dCFVR (cut off value 1.9) and rCFVR (cut off value 0.65) with (99m)Tc MIBI SPECT was 81% and 85%, respectively. In intermediate lesions (n = 49, diameter stenosis range 30-75%) the agreement between dCFVR (cut off value 2.0) and (99m)Tc MIBI SPECT was 72%, which increased to 78% using the rCFVR (cut off value 0.65). There was a strong linear relation between dCFVR and rCFVR (r = 0.93, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A best cut off value for dCFVR of 1.9 corresponds with a best cut off value of 0.65 for rCFVR, within the full range of coronary narrowings. Intracoronary blood flow velocity analysis could obviate the need for additional myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in the majority of patients.

New guiding catheter for transrad PTCA

A new guiding catheter for PTCA is described. In our department, 302 patients (405 lesions) underwent transradial coronary angioplasty using the 6 Fr Kimny guiding catheter since January 1996. The total engagement rate using the Kimny guiding catheter was 91.3% (370/405). The engagement rate after the modified Kimny guiding catheter was introduced in May 1996 increased to 96.0% (243/253). The stent delivery success rate was 98.4%. We had two dislodged stents. PTCA for both left and right coronary arteries in a single procedure with the Kimny guiding catheter was performed via the radial artery in 27 patients. In 24 of these patients (89%) we engaged both coronaries successfully. In the remaining 3 patients we switched to another catheter. Except for 4 patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, no major cardiac complications were encountered. No major entry site-related complications were seen, and no patient required vascular surgery or blood transfusions. In one patient the Kimny guiding catheter tip caused a minor dissection of the LMT, but no ischemic event occurred as a result. In conclusion, the Kimny device is a useful PTCA guiding catheter for routine angioplasty and stenting.

Cost advantages of an ad hoc angioplasty strategy

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the cost advantage of a strategy of same-sitting diagnostic catheterization and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (ad hoc) in comparison with staged PTCA.

BACKGROUND

It is widely assumed that an ad hoc strategy lowers costs by reducing the length of hospital stay (LOS). However, this assumption has not been examined in a contemporary data set.

METHODS

We studied 395 patients undergoing PTCA during 6 consecutive months. Cost analysis was performed using standard cost-accounting methods and a mature cost-accounting system. Costs were examined within three clinical strata based on the indication for PTCA (stable angina, unstable angina and after myocardial infarction [MI]).

RESULTS

For the entire patient cohort, there was no significant cost advantage of an ad hoc approach within any of the strata, although there was a nonsignificant trend toward an ad hoc approach in patients with stable angina. For patients treated with conventional balloon PTCA alone, the lack of a significant difference between ad hoc and staged strategies persisted. For patients who received stents, there was a significant cost advantage of an ad hoc approach in all three clinical strata. An important cost driver was the occurrence of complications. Differences in the rates of complications did not reach statistical significance between ad hoc and staged strategies, but even a small trend toward greater complications in patients who had the ad hoc strategy negated cost and LOS advantages. Our study had the power to detect significant cost differences of $1,300 for patients with stable angina, $2,100 for patients with unstable angina and $2,500 for post-MI patients. It is possible that we failed to detect smaller cost advantages as significant.

CONCLUSIONS

A cost savings with an ad hoc strategy of PTCA could not be consistently demonstrated. The cost advantage of an ad hoc approach may be most readily realized in clinical settings where the intrinsic risks are low (e.g., stable angina) or in which the device used carries a reduced risk of complications (e.g., stenting), because even a small increase in the complication rate will negate any financial advantage of an ad hoc approach.

Initial experience with long coronary stents: the changing practice of coronary angioplasty

The initial experience with the use of long coronary stents (> 30 mm in length) was analyzed retrospectively. Sixty-seven stents were deployed in 58 narrowings in 57 patients (34 AVE Microstents, 16 Nir stents, four Gianturco-Roubin II stents, and 13 Wallstents). Stents were implanted in 22 patients with unstable angina, 34 patients with stable angina, and one patient during direct angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction. Eighteen additional short stents were implanted to cover the entire length of the lesions so that an average of one and a half stents were deployed per patient. The length of the narrowings before stenting was 40 +/- 20 mm and the length of the stented segments was 45 +/- 20 mm. Stents were deployed for "bailout" in 23 narrowings, to improve suboptimal results of balloon angioplasty in 18 narrowings, and electively in 17 narrowings. Twenty of the 67 long stents were deployed in saphenous vein grafts. The success rate of stent implantation was 100%. One patient had a rupture of a saphenous vein graft after deployment of two long stents, with tamponade treated by emergency surgery. One patient had chest pain 18 hours after stent deployment; by the time he arrived at the catheterization laboratory the pain had subsided and the angiogram revealed a patent artery with normal flow. There were no other major complications during the hospital course and 1-month follow-up. We conclude that long coronary stents can be deployed successfully in native coronary arteries and vein grafts. They are useful for elective implantation and extremely helpful in bailout situations. The immediate results are excellent, but long-term outcome is awaited.

Fatal occlusion of the left coronary main stem by a fragment from the femoral artery: a previously unreported complication of cardiac catheterization

A 59-year-old man with grade III angina pectoris and 80% stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery developed an acute total occlusion of the artery during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Attempts at recanalisation and resuscitation were ineffective, and the patient died. The medico-legal autopsy revealed obstruction of left main coronary artery by a ringshaped piece of arterial wall that had been torn out of the femoral artery at the punction site and driven around the tip of the catheter into the orifice of the left coronary artery, filling it. This kind of complication of PTCA has not been described previously.

Risk of major complications from coronary angioplasty performed immediately after diagnostic coronary angiography: results from the Registry of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to determine the risk of performing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) at the time of diagnostic catheterization ("combined procedures").

BACKGROUND

Health care providers are under increasing pressure to combine diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures to reduce costs. However, the risk associated with combined procedures has not been rigorously assessed.

METHODS

A multicenter cohort study of 35,700 patients undergoing elective PTCA from 1992 through 1995 was performed to determine the risk of major complications (myocardial infarction, emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery or death) from combined relative to staged procedures (i.e., performing PTCA at a session subsequent to diagnostic catheterization).

RESULTS

The risks of major complications from combined and staged procedures were 2.0% and 1.6%, respectively (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.57). After adjusting for clinical and angiographic differences and clustering by laboratory, the risk from combined procedures was not significantly elevated (multivariable OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.55). However, several subgroups of patients did have an increased risk from combined procedures: patients with multivessel disease (multivariable OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.39); women (multivariable OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.55); patients > 65 years old (multivariable OR 1.40, 5% CI 1.02 to 1.93); and patients undergoing multilesion PTCA (multivariable OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.21). The risk of combined relative to staged procedures decreased over the 4-year period (multivariable p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Combining PTCA with diagnostic catheterization appears to be safe in many patients. However, several subgroups of patients may be at increased risk. Careful patient selection will most likely remain critical to ensuring the safety of combined procedures.

Cost-efficacy modeling of catheter reuse for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to provide the range of cost savings associated with various catheter reuse strategies.

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty catheters are commonly reused in several countries outside the United States. However, the cost-effectiveness of such reuse strategies has not been evaluated.

METHODS

Three theoretical models of catheter reuse were constructed using the actual costs for treating patients with coronary angioplasty at the Cleveland Clinic. Costs were calculated based on the number of balloon catheters, the amount of contrast agent used and the rates for urgent revascularization that were observed in a prospective Canadian study on catheter reuse.

RESULTS

The median cost to treat a lesion by means of coronary angioplasty using new catheters was $8,800 per patient. In reuse models, the potential to reduce cost depended on the number of balloon catheters used and the rates of urgent revascularization. The "best care" scenario offered a potential savings of $480 (5.5% of total in-hospital cost), whereas the "worst case" scenario resulted in an increased cost of $1,075 (12.2% of total in-hospital cost) compared with the single-use strategy. Cost of the "likely case" scenario was similar to that of the single-use strategy. Sensitivity analyses identified the different rates of revascularization and cost of balloon catheters required to offset potential savings in each strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Although reusing coronary angioplasty catheters may reduce total in-hospital costs, even a modest increase in complications requiring urgent revascularization may offset any potential savings. However, if an increase in complications and procedure time can be avoided, the reuse strategy has significant economic potential and, ultimately, may be extended to other percutaneous coronary interventional equipment.

Transradial approach for coronary angiography and angioplasty

The transradial approach has currently been advocated as an alternative catheterization method for coronary angiography and angioplasty, due to the recent miniaturization of angioplasty equipment. The purpose of this study was to assess the practical clinical applicability of this method. From June to November 1994, 100 patients underwent coronary angiography and angioplasty with the transradial approach. Their mean age was 66.6 +/- 11.2 years, and 79 were men. In 4, radial puncture was not successful, and in 3, femoral access was necessary to complete the procedure. Coronary angioplasty was performed in 63 patients (76 lesions) with angiographic success (per lesion) of 96%. In 5 patients, a stent was successfully implanted. All patients were ambulatory on the day after the angioplasty procedure. In 98% of the patients, the introducer was taken out 1 to 4 hours after the procedure by local compression using a special custom-made device. No patient required blood transfusion. Major complications occurred in 2 patients; both had a cerebrovascular accident (1 probably not procedure-related), and both recovered. A radial pulse was palpated in 91 of the patients before discharge, and in 6 others, adequate flow could be heard with Doppler. In 2 patients, radial flow was restored within several weeks. None of the patients suffered from ischemia of the hand. Two patients had a small pseudoaneurysm successfully treated by local compression. Thus, coronary angioplasty can be performed safely using the transradial approach with relatively few vascular complications and with better patient comfort. However, the procedure is more time-consuming initially compared with the transfemoral approach due to a learning curve regarding equipment selection and catheter manipulation.