John Coppola

Prevention of radial artery occlusion-patent hemostasis evaluation trial (PROPHET study): a randomized comparison of traditional versus patency documented hemostasis after transradial catheterization.

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 Barbeaus test. Radial artery patency was studied at 24 hr and 30 days using Barbeaus 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.

Histopathologic changes of the radial artery wall secondary to transradial catheterization

Objective: The immediate effects of transradial access on the radial artery wall are unknown. In this study we sought to assess the histological changes induced by catheterization on the radial artery. Methods: Thirty-four patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) had radial arteries harvested to serve as bypass conduits. The proximal and distal ends of the radial artery conduits were sectioned and embedded in paraffin. Both ends of all specimens were evaluated by a blinded pathologist for intimal hyperplasia, medial inflammation, medial calcification, periarterial tissue or fat necrosis, adventitial inflammation, adventitial necrosis, and adventitial neovascularization. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Fifteen previously catheterized radial arteries (TRA group) were compared with 19 noncatheterized arteries (NCA group). The distal ends of the TRA group showed significantly more intimal hyperplasia (73.3% vs 21.1%; p = 0.03), periarterial tissue or fat necrosis (26% vs 0%; p = 0.02), and more adventitial inflammation (33.3% vs 0%; p = 0.01) than the distal ends of the NCA group. The distal ends of the TRA group also showed significantly more intimal hyperplasia (73.3% vs 26.6%; p = 0.03) and adventitial inflammation (33.3% vs 0%; p = 0.01) than the proximal ends of the same arteries. There were no histological differences in the proximal ends of the two groups. Conclusion: Transradial catheterization induces significant histological changes suggestive of radial artery injury limited to the puncture site in the form of intimal hyperplasia, medial inflammation, and tissue necrosis. Both the proximal and distal ends of the radial artery show a spectrum of atherosclerotic changes independent of its use for transradial catheterization.

Frequency of and outcome of acute coronary syndromes in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Fifty-one patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acute coronary syndromes were identified. Nearly all patients (98%) had traditional coronary risk factors. Revascularization procedures were performed safely with low in-hospital mortality.

Radiation exposure during coronary angiography via transradial or transfemoral approaches when performed by experienced operators

BACKGROUND Studies demonstrate an increase in radiation exposure with transradial approach (TRA) when compared with transfemoral approach (TFA) for coronary angiography. Given the learning curve associated with TRA, it is not known if this increased radiation exposure to patients is seen when procedures are performed by experienced operators. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 1,696 patients who underwent coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by experienced operators at a tertiary center from October 2010 to June 2011. Experienced operators were defined as those that perform >75 PCIs/year with >95% of cases performed using the TRA or TFA approach for ≥5 years. The outcomes of interest were dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time (FT). RESULTS Of the 1,696 patients, 1,382 (81.5%) were performed by experienced femoral operators using TFA and 314 (18.5%) were performed by experienced radial operators using TRA. Most of these cases (65.4%) were diagnostic only (870 TFA and 240 TRA) with both DAP (6040 [3210-8786] vs 5019 [3377-6869] μGy·m(2), P = .003] and FT [6.2 [4.0-10.3] vs 3.3 [2.6-5.0] minutes, P < .001) significantly higher using TRA versus TFA. For procedures involving PCI, despite similar baseline patient, procedural and lesion characteristics, DAP and FT remained significantly higher using TRA versus TFA (19,649 [11,996-25,929] vs 15,395 [10,078-21,617] μGy·m(2), P = .02 and 22.1 [13.3-31.0] vs. 13.8 [9.8-20.3] minutes, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS In a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing coronary angiography by experienced operators, TRA was associated with higher radiation exposure when compared with TFA.

Contralateral transradial approach for carotid artery stenting: A feasibility study†

Background: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an accepted modality of treatment for revascularization of the internal carotid artery (ICA). CAS from femoral approach has got wide acceptance, however, it can be problematic due to access site complication as well as technical difficulties related to peripheral vascular disease and/or anatomical variations of the aortic arch. Small feasibility studies of CAS through ipsilateral transradial approach have been described in the literature. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the feasibility of contralateral transradial approach as an alternative approach for CAS. Methods: Twenty patients (mean age: 65 ± 5, 17 male) underwent CAS using contralateral transradial approach. All had a CA stenosis greater than 80%. The target common carotid artery (CCA) was initially cannulated via the contralateral radial artery using a 5F Simmons 1 diagnostic catheter or a 5F TIG diagnostic catheter, which was then advanced to the external CA (ECA) over an exchange length of 0.032″ Terumo Glidewire or a 0.025″ Glidewire. Once the catheter was parked in the optimal position in ECA, the wire was removed and was replaced by 0.035″ Amplatz Super stiff Guide wire. Following that, the Simmons 1 or the TIG catheter was removed and 6F Pinnacle Sheath was exchanged and positioned in the distal CCA. CAS was performed using standard techniques with weight‐based heparin for anticoagulation. Results: CAS was successful in 16/20 (80%) patients, including 12/12 (100%) right CA, 4/8 (50%) left CA. Mean interventional time was 40 ± 5 min. The sheath was removed immediately after the procedure. There were no radial access site complications. One patient sustained a transient ischemic attack and recovered completely with complete resolution of symptoms within 1 hr. Median Hospital stay was 3 ± 0.5 days. Angulation of left CCA with the aortic arch was the technical cause of failure in the four unsuccessful cases. Conclusion: CAS using the contralateral transradial approach appears to be safe and technically feasible. The technique may be particularly useful in patients with right ICA lesions because of the favorable right CCA angle with the aortic arch.

Ranolazine improves endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

ObjectivesWe investigated the effect of ranolazine on endothelial-dependent vasodilatation (EDV), serum markers of endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. BackgroundEndothelial dysfunction has been shown to be independently associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events. We sought to investigate whether ranolazine, a novel antianginal medication with no effect on heart rate or blood pressure, improves endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). MethodsTwenty-seven patients with stable CAD were randomly assigned to either 1000 mg twice daily of ranolazine or to matching placebo for 6 weeks and then crossed over for an additional 6 weeks in a double-blind design. EDV was assessed using reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RH-PAT) at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks. Markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation were also evaluated. ResultsAfter 6 weeks, treatment with ranolazine significantly increased the EDV RH-PAT index as compared with baseline (1.85±0.42 vs. 2.08±0.57, P = 0.037). EDV RH-PAT did not change while on placebo (1.69±0.35 vs. 1.78±0.41, P = 0.29). In addition, there was a significant drop in asymmetric dimethylarginine levels with ranolazine treatment (0.66±0.12 vs. 0.60±0.11 μmol/l, P = 0.02) and a near significant decrease in C-reactive protein levels (0.40±0.80 vs. 0.30±0.61 mg/dl, P = 0.05). ConclusionRanolazine improves endothelial function, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and C-reactive protein levels in a group of patients with stable CAD. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of action of ranolazine.

Transradial intervention of iliac and superficial femoral artery disease is feasible.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous intervention of iliac artery (IA) and superficial femoral artery (SFA) disease is often performed via ipsilateral or contralateral femoral access. However, this approach may be difficult in patients with severe iliac or common femoral artery atherosclerosis, morbid obesity, or conditions prohibiting prolonged bed rest. Percutaneous transradial coronary intervention has gained popularity due to the low frequency of access site complications, early ambulation, and perhaps cost savings with early discharge. Transradial intervention (TRI) of IA and SFA disease has been previously described only in anecdotal case reports. METHODS Out of 159 patients who underwent IA and SFA intervention, 15 had their intervention attempted via the radial artery. TRI was attempted at the operators discretion for one of the following reasons: absent femoral pulses, severe bilateral IA disease, obesity, or conditions prohibiting prolonged supine rest. Clinical and procedural characteristics were collected retrospectively. RESULTS Fourteen patients (93%) had successful intervention completed through the transradial approach. One patient needing an intervention of the distal SFA was converted to contralateral femoral approach because of the inadequate stent shaft length. Eighteen IA lesions and six SFA lesions were treated successfully with a good final angiographic result via a 6 FR radial access system. The ankle brachial index improved from a mean of 0.66 to 0.93. None of the patients had any procedural or access site-related complications. CONCLUSIONS TRI is a feasible and safe alternative for percutaneous treatment of IA and SFA disease in carefully selected patients.

Feasibility and safety of 7F sheathless guiding catheter during transradial coronary intervention

The aim of our study is to assess the feasibility, safety, and rate of radial artery occlusion (RAO) using 7F sheathless guiding catheter in a large population undergoing transradial intervention (TRI).

Safety and efficacy of transradial aortoiliac interventions.

Background: This study compares transradial approach (TRA) aortoiliac angioplasty/stenting to the transfemoral approach (TFA). Methods: We reviewed our peripheral database for aortoiliac interventions performed between 2007 and 2009. Demographics, clinical characteristics, procedural, and lesion details were collected. The efficacy endpoints included procedural success, ankle‐brachial index (ABI) improvement, and time to discharge. The safety endpoints were as follows: occurrence of intra‐/periprocedural complications, 30‐day MACE, and access‐site complications (minor/major). The subjects were divided into two groups, TRA and TFA, and compared using appropriate statistics. Results: Twenty‐seven patients had 33 lesions treated via TRA, and 41 patients had 47 lesions treated via TFA access. Baseline demographic differences between the TRA and TFA groups were similar, including mean Rutherford category (2.9 vs. 2.6, P = 0.31) and preintervention ABI (0.64 vs. 0.67, P = 0.80). There was a significantly higher percentage of total occlusions in the TRA group (27.3 vs. 8.5%, P = 0.03). Dye use (238 vs. 213 mL, P = 0.35) and fluoroscopy time (30 vs. 27 min, P = 0.60) were similar. Procedural success rate was similar (87.9 vs. 97.8%, P = 0.15), as well as the improvement in mean ABI (TRA: 0.64–0.77 and TFA: 0.67–0.85, P = 0.77). The time to discharge was significantly shorter for the TRA group (14.4 vs. 20.9 hr, P = 0.003). There were no 30‐day MACE or major access‐site complications, but minor access‐site complications were lower in the TRA group (0.0 vs. 7.3%, P = 0.28), although nonsignificant. Conclusions: The TRA to aortoiliac interventions is as safe and effective as the TFA with the advantage of a lower rate of access‐site complications and shorter hospitalization time.

Human immunodeficiency virus and atherosclerosis.

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to a significant decline in the incidence of mortality and progression to AIDS in HIV-infection. With increased life expectancy, HIV-infected individuals are being affected by cardiovascular disease. Research studies have identified an increased prevalence of traditional coronary risk factors in HIV-infected patients. Additional investigations suggest that the virus itself may independently result in atherosclerosis. Further studies have linked the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy to the atherosclerotic processes. These findings suggest the need to reconsider HIV as one of the traditionally accepted risk factors for coronary artery disease, with treatment aimed at prevention of myocardial infarction.