tejas patel

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hemostasis with patency in avoiding radial artery occlusion after transradial catheterization. Background: Radial artery occlusion is an infrequent but discouraging complication of transradial access. It is related to factors such as sheath to artery ratio and is less common in patients receiving heparin. Despite being clinically silent in most cases, it limits future transradial access. Patients and Methods: Four hundred thirty-six consecutive patients undergoing transradial catheterization were prospectively enrolled in the study. Two hundred nineteen patients were randomized to group I, and underwent conventional pressure application for hemostasis. Two hundred seventeen patients were randomized to group II and underwent pressure application confirming radial artery patency using Barbeau's test. Radial artery patency was studied at 24 hr and 30 days using Barbeau's test. Results: Thirty-eight patients had evidence of radial artery occlusion at 24 hr. Twenty patients had persistent evidence of radial artery occlusion at 1 month. Group II, with documented patency during hemostatic compression, had a statistically and clinically lower incidence of radial artery occlusion (59% decrease at 24 hr and 75% decrease at 30 days, P < 0.05), compared with patients in group I. Low body weight patients were at significantly higher risk of radial artery occlusion. No procedural variables were found to be associated with radial artery occlusion. Conclusion: Patent hemostasis is highly effective in reducing radial artery occlusion after radial access and guided compression should be performed to maintain radial artery patency at the time of hemostasis, to prevent future radial artery occlusion. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We report a technique for retrieval of a broken angioplasty wire fragment from the coronary system using a more simplified technique that does not involve the use of a snare or any other retrieval tool. With the use of an additional angioplasty wire and a balloon catheter, we could safely remove the broken wire fragment from the coronary system and circulation in a very short time.

Objectives: To study the effect of sublingual versus subcutaneous nitroglycerin on radial artery spasm caused by failed access attempts. Background: Radial artery spasm is the leading reason for failed radial access. We studied the efficacy of systemic versus local nitroglycerin in relieving radial artery spasm caused by needle entry resulting in failed cannulation. Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients were studied. All patients had failed attempt at radial artery cannulation, resulting in loss of radial pulse. Patients were divided in three groups, group I (n = 11), observed without additional treatment, group II (n = 20), administered 400 mcg of sublingual nitroglycerin, and group III (n = 21), administered 400 mcg of subcutaneous nitroglycerin at the site of the lost radial pulse. All patients were monitored for the return of radial pulse. Demographics, hemodynamics, and time to return of radial pulse as well as ability to successfully cannulate the radial artery were recorded. Results: Seventy-two percent of group I patients, 90% of group II patients, and 100% of group III patients had re-establishment of radial pulse. The time to return of radial pulse was significantly shorter for group III compared with that for group II (3 ± 1 min vs. 8 ± 1 min respectively, P < 0.001). Re-establishment of radial pulse was faster in group II and group III compared with that in group I (18 ± 5 min, P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure changes and headaches were less common in group III. Conclusion: Subcutaneous administration of nitroglycerin is superior in facilitating radial artery cannulation after initial failed attempt. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare door-to-balloon times and other variables in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using transfemoral or transradial approaches. Background: Transradial PCI has been shown to lower the risk of access site complications but the procedure is not applied to STEMI patients, due to concerns of procedural complexity adversely affecting prompt reperfusion. There is paucity of real-world data comparing TRI with TFI in patients with STEMI. Methods: Three hundred sixteen consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were studied. Patients were divided in two groups, Group I (n = 204) undergoing PCI transfemorally and Group II (n = 109) patients transradially. Demographic data, door-to-balloon times, procedural variables, predischarge adverse events, access site complications, and 1 year follow-up major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded. Results: Door-to-balloon time was 72 ± 14 min in Group I compared with 70 ± 17 min in Group II, the difference was not statistically significant (t = 1.096, P > 0.27). Group II patients had significantly fewer access site complications compared with Group I (20 vs. 1 patient, χ2 = 10.8, P < 0.05). Demographics, predischarge adverse events, and MACE at 1 year follow-up were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Transradial approach to primary PCI provides similar door-to-balloon times to transfemoral approach, and significantly lowers access site related complications, in patients presenting with STEMI. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We report a more simplified technique of the balloon tricuspid valvuloplasty using inoue balloon set in a patient suffering from severe rheumatic tricuspid stenosis. We believe that this technique may be useful in a difficult case of tricuspid valvuloplasty.

Percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy by the Inoue technique is usually recommended from right femoral vein approach only. We report an unusual patient in whom the left femoral vein approach was used successfully. We believe that the left femoral vein approach can be reserved as a last resort in certain cases. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Coronary dissection is one of the most frequently occurring complications during coronary interventional procedures. However, extensive coronary dissection retrograde to the coronary sinus of Valsalva and to the arch of aorta is very rarely observed. The authors report a case of retrograde coronary dissection extending into the arch of aorta. Management and coronary angiography at 6-month follow-up are discussed.

We describe a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with features of noncirrhotic portal hypertension, who was diagnosed to have inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction. IVC angiogram and ultrasound study revealed a long-segment (36 mm long), chronic total thrombotic occlusion that was dilated and stented with a satisfactory end result. The unique feature of this case is a modified sharp recanulization technique involving the use of Brokenborough (septal puncture) needle and Mullin dilator to create a track in such a long, chronic total occlusion under simultaneous ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:492–495. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Compared to the intravenous route, subcutaneous administration of epoetin requires lower dose and will be an attractive option for cost containment when bundling for dialysis is implemented. Hemoglobin variability defined as fluctuation of hemoglobin over time has not been well studied with respect to the route of administration. 157 prevalent-hemodialysis subjects were analyzed from an open-label, randomized study that compared the intravenous to the subcutaneous route of epoetin with identical weight-based dosing algorithm. Hemoglobin variability was defined as the number of weeks hemoglobin is outside the target range of 10-11 g/dl. Sensitivity analysis was performed. 78 subjects in the intravenous and 79 in the subcutaneous group entered the 24-week dose maintenance phase. Baseline covariates were similar in both groups except for the dose of epoetin (lower in subcutaneous) and dialysis vintage (longer in intravenous). Patients on subcutaneous epoetin were outside the target range more weeks (p = 0.04) and had higher standard deviation of hemoglobin (p = 0.01) compared to the intravenous group. The subcutaneous route of epoetin was associated with modestly higher hemoglobin variability, probably reflecting greater sensitivity of the subcutaneous route and/or identical epoetin-dosing algorithm employed in both the arms. This study could serve as an important guide when bundling for dialysis services is implemented as switching from intravenous to subcutaneous administration is likely to occur.