A simple and easy technique to overcome anatomic challenges of transradial access in STEMI patients.

Background: Transradial access (TRA) is associated with fewer access-related complications, earlier discharge and lower mortality than transfemoral access (TFA), being the preferred route to perform primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PPCIs) in STEMI patients. However, the radial artery is smaller, more superficial and thinner than the femoral artery, which may make PPCIs difficult.

Purpose: This study describes a practical solution to overcome several of the anatomical difficulties during the TRA, demonstrating its outcomes during clinical practice.

Multimarker approach with cystatin C, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein and red blood cell distribution width in risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Introduction And Aim: Biomarkers have emerged as interesting predictors of risk in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the combined measurement of cystatin C (CysC), C-reactive protein (CRP), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in the risk stratification of patients with ACS.

Methods: In this prospective study including 682 patients consecutively admitted to a coronary care unit for ACS, baseline measurements of CysC, CRP, NT-proBNP and RDW were performed.