Perceptions of advantages and barriers to radial-access percutaneous coronary intervention in VA cardiac catheterization laboratories.

Background/purpose: Compared with trans-femoral percutaneous coronary intervention (TFI), trans-radial PCI (TRI) has a lower risk of bleeding, access site complications and hospital costs, and is preferred by patients. However, TRI accounts for a minority of PCIs in the US, and there is currently little research that explores why.

Methods/material: We conducted a national survey in February 2013 to assess perceptions of TRI vs.

Percutaneously implanted left ventricular assist device: establishing a program from implant to intensive care unit.

Cardiogenic shock is a critical disease process that claims lives every year. A new device on the market allows 2.5 L of cardiac output through the heart to assist in patient stabilization while attempting treatment options such as percutaneous coronary intervention to open closed coronary arteries.