BackgroundRadial artery occlusion (RAO) may occur posttransradial intervention and limits the radial artery as a future access site, thus precluding its use as an arterial conduit. In this study, we investigate the incidence and factors influencing the RAO in the current literature.Methods and ResultsWe searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies of RAO in transradial access. Relevant studies were identified and data were extracted. Data were synthesized by meta‐analysis, quantitative pooling, graphical representation, or by narrative synthesis. A total of 66 studies with 31 345 participants were included in the analysis. Incident RAO ranged between <1% and 33% and varied with timing of assessment of radial artery patency (incidence of RAO within 24 hours was 7.7%, which decreased to 5.5% at >1 week follow‐up). The most efficacious measure in reducing RAO was higher dose of heparin, because lower doses of heparin were associated with increased RAO (risk ratio 0.36, 95% CI 0.17–0.76), whereas shorter compression times also reduced RAO (risk ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.05–1.50). Several factors were found to be associated with RAO including age, sex, sheath size, and diameter of radial artery, but these factors were not consistent across all studies.Conclusions RAO is a common complication of transradial access. Maintenance of radial patency should be an integral part of all procedures undertaken through the radial approach. High‐dose heparin along with shorter compression times and patent hemostasis is recommended in reducing RAO.

BackgroundUp to half of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention have multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) with conflicting data regarding optimal revascularization strategy in such patients. This paper assesses the evidence for complete revascularization (CR) versus incomplete revascularization in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, and its prognostic impact using meta‐analysis.Methods and ResultsA search of PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Current Contents Connect, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Science Direct, and Web of Science was conducted to identify the association of CR in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with major adverse cardiac events and mortality. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate the odds of adverse outcomes. Meta‐regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship with continuous variables and outcomes. Thirty‐eight publications that included 156 240 patients were identified. Odds of death (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.61‐0.78), repeat revascularization (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45‐0.80), myocardial infarction (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.50‐0.81), and major adverse cardiac events (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.50‐0.79) were significantly lower in the patients who underwent CR. These outcomes were unchanged on subgroup analysis regardless of the definition of CR. Similar findings were recorded when CR was studied in the chronic total occlusion (CTO) subgroup (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.53‐0.80). A meta‐regression analysis revealed a negative relationship between the OR for mortality and the percentage of CR.Conclusion CR is associated with reduced risk of mortality and major adverse cardiac events, irrespective of whether an anatomical or a score‐based definition of incomplete revascularization is used, and this magnitude of risk relates to degree of CR. These results have important implications for the interventional management of patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.

FA access remains predominant during CTO PCI, with case complexity and device size associated with its use. Access-site complications were more frequent with FA use and strongly correlated with adverse outcomes.

ObjectivesThis study aims to examine in‐hospital gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, its predictors and clinical outcomes, including long‐term outcomes, in a national cohort of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in England and Wales.BackgroundGI bleeding remains associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden.MethodsWe examined the temporal changes in in‐hospital GI bleeding in a national cohort of patients undergoing PCI between 2007 and 2014 in England and Wales, its predictors and prognostic consequences. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors between GI bleeding and 30‐day mortality. Survival analysis was performed comparing patients with, and without, GI bleeding.ResultsThere were 480 in‐hospital GI bleeds in 549,298 patients (0.09%). Overall, rates of GI bleeding remained stable over time but a significant decline was observed for patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The strongest predictors of bleeding events were STEMI—odds ratio (OR) 7.28 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.82–11.00), glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use OR 3.42 (95% CI 2.76–4.24) and use of circulatory support OR 2.65 (95% CI 1.90–3.71). Antiplatelets/coagulants (clopidogrel, prasugrel, and warfarin) were not independently associated with GI bleeding. GI bleeding was independently associated with a significant increase in all‐cause 30‐day mortality (OR 2.08 [1.52–2.83]). Patients with in‐hospital GI bleed who survived to 30‐days had increased all‐cause mortality risk at 1 year compared to non‐bleeders (HR 1.49 [1.07–2.09]).ConclusionsIn‐hospital GI bleeding following PCI is rare but is a clinically important event associated with increased 30‐day and long‐term mortality.

Patients receiving second-generation DES for the treatment SVG disease have lower rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events, 30-day mortality, and 1-year mortality, compared with those receiving BMS.