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Background Trans-radial access is increasingly common for cardiac catheterisation. Benefits include reduced bleeding complications, length of hospital stay and costs. Aims To determine the feasibility of implementing a nurse-led ultrasound programme to measure radial artery diameter before and after cardiac catheterisation; to determine radial artery occlusion (RAO) rates, risk factors for RAO and predictors of radial artery (RA) diameter. Method A prospective observational cohort study design for 100 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation, using RA access. Pre- and post-procedural RA diameter were measured using ultrasound, by specialist nurses trained to do so. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine risk factors for RAO and predictors of RA diameter with results reported as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results There were no adverse events, supporting the feasibility of nurse led ultrasound programmes. A 4% ( n = 4) rate of occlusion was observed. Haemostasis device application time of greater than 190 min was a predictor of RAO (OR 3.12, 95% CI 0.31–31). Male gender and height were predictors for a RA diameter of >2.2 mm. Conclusions Nurses can lead the assessment of RA occlusion using ultrasound to enhance planning and care, including monitoring compression times to reduce RAO.

Aim: This study examines the factors associated with femoral vascular complications (FVCs) following cardiac catheterisation. Methods: In a study using a case control design, patients with an FVC (pseudoaneurysm or retroperitoneal bleed) were examined over 5 years. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine associations with FVCs. Results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Seventy-eight (0.65%) patients experienced FVCs (mean age: 65 years, sex: 50% female). Factors that increased the likelihood of experiencing FVC were being female (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.1), smoking (AOR 7.4, 95% CI 3.5–16), having diabetes mellitus (AOR 7.5, 95% CI 3.4–16), having hypertension (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2–6.9), taking anticoagulant medication (AOR 16, 95% CI 5.5–45) having an elevated body mass index (AOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2) and the use of vascular closure devices (AOR 3.4, 95% CI 0.61–19). Use of a compression device reduced the likelihood of FVCs developing (AOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3–1.0). Conclusion: Sex, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and procedural factors remain important in developing FVCs.

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