Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in acute ST elevation myocardial infarction and high-risk patients: experience in a single centre without cardiothoracic surgical backup.

INTRODUCTION: Primary transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (TRI) is shown to be efficacious in stable patients with acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the application of primary TRI for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), including among high-risk patients from our registry.

METHODS: This was a single-centre case series comprising 138 patients who underwent primary TRI for STEMI between May 2007 and June 2008. TRI was attempted with a 6-Fr guiding catheter in all patients regardless of Killip class status. Outcome measures were success rates of primary TRI, door-to-balloon time, procedure duration and volume of contrast used. All patients were followed up for major adverse cardiac events in-hospital, at 30 days and six months.

RESULTS: A total of 138 patients had primary TRI attempted for STEMI. Four patients failed primary TRI and required a femoral approach. The remaining 134 patients underwent primary TRI. The mean patient age was 56.4 years. Most patients with acute STEMI presented in Killip class I and II (91.8 percent). Only 8.2 percent were in Killip class III or IV on admission. 50 percent of patients presented with anterior STEMI. The median door-to-balloon time for this group was 92 (interquartile range [IQR] 77-121) minutes, with a median procedure time of 39 (IQR 29-51) minutes. The success rate of primary TRI was 97.1 percent.

CONCLUSION: Success rate, procedural and radiation time for TRI are comparable to those achieved via the femoral approach. Primary TRI is therefore a feasible and effective approach for acute STEMI, even in high-risk patients.