Combined Use of Bivalirudin and Radial Access in Acute Coronary Syndromes Is Not Superior to the Use of Either One Separately: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objectives: The aim of this meta-analysis was to study the relation between access site and bivalirudin use on outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Background: Bivalirudin and radial access use are 2 strategies that are increasingly used to lower major bleeding in patients with ACS undergoing invasive approaches. The interaction between these 2 strategies and the benefit of using them in combination are unclear.