Access-site bleeding and radial artery occlusion in transradial primary percutaneous coronary intervention: influence of adjunctive antiplatelet therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate access-site complications in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with a transradial primary percutaneous coronary intervention relative to three different P2Y12 platelet inhibitors.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 334 consecutive patients (76.9% men, age: 59.4±9.1 years) treated by one of the following: clopidogrel (n=118), prasugrel (n=102), and ticagrelor (n=114). The use of the IIb/IIIa inhibitor, abciximab, was left to the operators' discretion. The time needed to achieve patent hemostasis, compression time, and local complications were analyzed.

Results: The baseline characteristics were similar in all three P2Y12 platelet inhibitor groups. Abciximab was used in 72 (21.6%) patients. Administration of abciximab was associated with a higher incidence of grade II and III hematomas (23.6 vs. 5.0%, P<0.0001, and 5.6 vs. 1.1%, P=0.041, respectively). Among different platelet P2Y12 receptor inhibitor groups, the incidences of hematomas grade II and III were similar in patients who did (P≥0.14) and did not (P≥0.31) receive abciximab. There were no grade IV or V hematomas in any of the groups. Patent hemostasis was achieved faster (24.5±13.4 vs. 43.5±30.0 min, P<0.0001) and compression time was shorter (113.2±53.6 vs. 217.8±115.5 min, P<0.0001) when abciximab was not used. Radial artery occlusion occurred in one (0.3%) patient.

Conclusion: After transradial primary percutaneous coronary intervention, early patent hemostasis and short artery compression times were associated with a higher incidence of local hematomas. The incidence of hematomas was dependent on the use of abciximab, but unrelated to the type of P2Y12 inhibitor used. All hematomas were without clinical consequences.