Safety and feasibility of upper limb vascular access for cardiac catheterization in anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated patients

Background: The upper limb approach utilizing transradial access for combined left and right heart catheterization (CLRHC) and ultrasound-guided antecubital venous access for isolated right heart catheterization (IRHC) are strategies that may reduce risks, especially in anticoagulated patients. combined left and right heart catheterization Objectives: To assess safety and feasibility of upper limb approach for IRHC or CLRHC in anticoagulated versus non-anticoagulated patients. Methods: Ninety-three patients who underwent IRHC or CLRHC with ultrasound-guided antecubital venous access and transradial arterial access were prospectively enrolled. The primary outcome was a composite of procedure failure and incidence of immediate vascular complications. Results: Of the 93 patients, 44 (47%) were on anticoagulation and 49 (53%) were not. Mean age was 54 +/- 17 and 53 +/- 15 years, respectively. Atrial fibrillation (39% vs 15%) and chronic kidney disease (21% vs 6%) were more common in anticoagulated patients. The main indication for anticoagulation was deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary thromboembolism in 22 patients (50%). The primary outcome occurred in 4 (8%) patients in the non-anticoagulated group as compared with 0 in the anticoagulated group (p = 0.12). Procedure failure occurred in two patients (4%) and immediate vascular complications in two patients (4%) in the non-anticoagulated group (p = 0.3 for all). There was no difference between groups regarding duration of the procedure, radiation dose, fluoroscopy time, post-procedure recovery room time and median time to venous or arterial hemostasis. Conclusions: The upper limb approach for heart catheterization had similar rates of procedure failure and immediate vascular complications in anticoagulated patients when compared to non-anticoagulated patients.

Automated summary

The study assessed the safety and feasibility of upper limb approaches for isolated right heart catheterization or combined left and right heart catheterization in anticoagulated versus non-anticoagulated patients. Results showed similar rates of procedure failure and immediate vascular complications in anticoagulated patients compared to non-anticoagulated patients.