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Impact of One-Catheter Strategy with TIG I Catheter on Coronary Catheterization Performance and Economic Costs

Abstract

Background:

Coronary angiography with two catheters is the traditional strategy for diagnostic coronary procedures. TIG I catheter permits to cannulate both coronary arteries, avoiding exchanging catheters during coronary angiography by transradial access.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of one-catheter strategy, by avoiding catheter exchange, on coronary catheterization performance and economic costs.

Methods:

Transradial coronary diagnostic procedures conducted from January 2013 to June 2017 were collected. One-catheter strategy (TIG I catheter) and two-catheter strategy (left and right Judkins catheters) were compared. The volume of iodinated contrast administered was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included radial spasm, procedural duration (fluoroscopy time) and exposure to ionizing radiation (dose-area product and air kerma). Direct economic costs were also evaluated. For statistical analyses, two-tailed p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

From a total of 1,953 procedures in 1,829 patients, 252 procedures were assigned to one-catheter strategy and 1,701 procedures to two-catheter strategy. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. One-catheter strategy required less iodinated contrast [primary endpoint; (60-105)-mL vs. 92 (64-120)-mL; p < 0.001] than the two-catheter strategy. Also, the one-catheter group presented less radial spasm (5.2% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.022) and shorter fluoroscopy time [3.9 (2.2-8.0)-min vs. 4.8 (2.9-8.3)-min, p = 0.001] and saved costs [149 (140-160)-/procedure vs. 171 (160-183)-/procedure; p < 0.001]. No differences in dose-area product and air kerma were detected between the groups.

Conclusions:

One-catheter strategy, with TIG I catheter, improves coronary catheterization performance and reduces economic costs compared to traditional two-catheter strategy in patients referred for coronary angiography.

Keywords
Cineagiography/methods; Cardiac Catheterization/economic; Radiation, Ionizing;; Fluoroscopy; Cost Savings/economic

Resumo

Fundamento:

A cineangiocoronariografia com dois cateteres é a estratégia tradicional para procedimentos coronarianos de diagnóstico. O cateter TIG I permite canular ambas as artérias coronárias, evitando a troca de cateteres durante a cineangiocoronariografia por acesso transradial.

Objetivo:

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o impacto da estratégia de um cateter, evitando a troca de cateter, no desempenho da coronariografia por cateterismo e nos seus custos econômicos.

Métodos:

Foram coletados os procedimentos diagnósticos coronarianos transradiais realizados entre janeiro de 2013 e junho de 2017. A estratégia de um cateter (cateter TIG I) e a estratégia de dois cateteres (cateteres coronários direito e esquerdo de Judkins) foram comparadas. O volume de contraste iodado administrado foi o endpoint primário. Os endpoints secundários eram espasmo radial, duração do procedimento (tempo de fluoroscopia) e exposição a radiações ionizantes (produto dose-área e kerma no ar). Os custos econômicos diretos também foram avaliados. Para as análises estatísticas, valores de p < 0,05 bicaudais foram considerados estatisticamente significativos.

Resultados:

De um total de 1.953 procedimentos em 1.829 pacientes, 252 procedimentos foram atribuídos à estratégia de um cateter e 1.701 procedimentos à estratégia de dois cateteres. Não houve diferenças nas características basais entre os grupos. A estratégia de um cateter exigiu menos contraste iodado [endpoint primário; (60-105) -mL vs. 92 (64-120) -mL; p < 0,001] em comparação com a estratégia de dois cateteres. Além disso, o grupo da estratégia de um cateter apresentou menos espasmo radial (5,2% vs. 9,3%, p = 0,022) e menor tempo de fluoroscopia [3,9 (2,2-8,0) -min vs. 4,8 (2,9-8,3) -min, p = 0,001] e economia de custos [149 (140-160)-€/procedimento vs. 171 (160-183) -€/procedimento; p < 0,001]. Não foram detectadas diferenças no produto dose-área e kerma no ar entre os grupos.

Conclusões:

A estratégia de um cateter, com cateter TIG I, melhora o desempenho da coronariografia por cateterismo e reduz os custos econômicos em comparação com a estratégia tradicional de dois cateteres em pacientes encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia.

Palavras-chave
Cinecoronariografia/métodos; Cateterismo Cardíaco/economia; Radiação Ionizante; Fluoroscopia; Redução de Custos/economia

Introduction

Coronary angiography is the “gold standard” technique for the evaluation of coronary arteries.11 Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, Antunes MJ, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Bueno H, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: The Task Force for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2018;39(2):119-77 Due to its invasive nature, coronary angiography is associated with multiple complications. However, the rate of complications of coronary angiography procedures has decreased over time.11 Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, Antunes MJ, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Bueno H, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: The Task Force for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2018;39(2):119-77 Transradial access plays a key role by reducing vascular complications and mortality in patients undergoing invasive coronary procedures.11 Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, Antunes MJ, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Bueno H, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: The Task Force for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2018;39(2):119-77

2 Hamon M, Pristipino C, Di Mario C, Nolan J, Ludwig J, Tubaro M, et al. Consensus document on the radial approach in percutaneous cardiovascular interventions: Position paper by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions and Working Groups on Acute Cardiac Care and Thrombosis of the European Society of Cardiology. EuroIntervention. 2013;8(11):1242-51
-33 Romagnoli E, Biondi-Zoccai G, Sciahbasi A, Politi L, Rigattieri S, Pendenza G, et al. Radial versus femoral randomized investigation in ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: The rifle-steacs (radial versus femoral randomized investigation in ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome) study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(24):2481-9

Transradial access is currently the recommended strategy by clinical practice guidelines for coronary angiography.11 Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, Antunes MJ, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Bueno H, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: The Task Force for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2018;39(2):119-77 Nevertheless, there is no standard recommendation about the optimal coronary angiography strategy to perform these procedures. One-catheter strategy for radial coronary diagnostic procedures could help reduce radial spasm, complications related to contrast administration and exposure to ionizing radiation, since it avoids the exchange of angiography catheters during coronary procedures.44 Trilla M, Freixa X, Regueiro A, Fernández-Rodriguez D, Brugaletta S, Martin-Yuste V, et al. Impact of Aging on Radial Spasm During Coronary Catheterization. J Invasive Cardiol. 2015;27(12):E303-7.

5 Sanmartin M, Esparza J, Moxica J, Baz JA, Iñiguez-Romo A. Safety and efficacy of a multipurpose coronary angiography strategy using the transradial technique. J Invasive Cardiol. 2005;17(11):594-7.

6 Vorpahl M, Koehler T, Foerst J, Panagiotopoulos S, Schleiting H, Koss K, et al. Single Center Retrospective Analysis of Conventional and Radial TIG Catheters for Transradial Diagnostic Coronary Angiography. Cardiol Res Pract. 2015 Sep;2015:862156.

7 Erden I, Golcuk E, Bozyel S, Erden EC, Balaban Y, Yalin K, et al. Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2017;30(1):24-32
-88 Plourde G, Abdelaal E, MacHaalany J, Rimac G, Poirier Y, Arsenault J, et al. Comparison of radiation exposure during transradial diagnostic coronary angiography with single- or multi-catheters approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2017;90(2):243-48. However, despite the potential benefits, one-catheter strategy for coronary angiography by transradial access is not routinely used in many centres. This fact may be due, among other factors, to the need for operators to perform the learning curve or to the scarcity of data about its impact on catheterization performance and economic costs.

Therefore, the objective of our study is to compare two strategies: a one-catheter strategy with TIG catheters66 Vorpahl M, Koehler T, Foerst J, Panagiotopoulos S, Schleiting H, Koss K, et al. Single Center Retrospective Analysis of Conventional and Radial TIG Catheters for Transradial Diagnostic Coronary Angiography. Cardiol Res Pract. 2015 Sep;2015:862156.,99 Langer C, Riehle J, Frey N, Wiemer M. Transradial Coronary Angiography--Insights to the One-Catheter Concept. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(1):113-6. vs. a traditional two-catheter strategy with Judkins catheters, in order to determine if one-catheter strategy allows to reduce the amount of iodinated contrast, radial spasm, exposure to ionizing radiation and direct economic costs in diagnostic coronary angiography.

Methods

Population and Study Design

This study compared, in an observational and retrospective way, the impact of one-catheter strategy with TIG I catheter (Radiofocus Optitorque 5F; Terumo Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium) and two-catheter strategy with Judkins catheters (Infiniti® 5F Left and Right Coronary Judkins; Cordis Corporation, Cashel, Ireland) on the amount of iodinated contrast, appearance of radial spasm, duration of the procedures and exposure to ionizing radiations in patients referred for diagnostic coronary angiography in our institution (Figure 1). We collected data on the procedures performed in our institution. For repeated procedures in the same patient, data of each coronary angiography were included separately. The study was conducted according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and in compliance with current ethical and legal regulations. All patients signed a written informed consent form before coronary catheterization.

Figure 1
Design of TIG I and Judkins catheters and cannulation of the coronary arteries. RCA: right coronary artery; LCA: left coronary artery.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria are described below:

  • * Inclusion criteria:

  • - Indication for invasive coronary angiography.

  • - Right radial access.

  • - Patients >18 years.

  • * Exclusion criteria:

  • - Abnormal Allen’s test.

  • - Presence of brachial arteriovenous fistula in right upper extremity.

  • - Need to use 4Fr catheters.

  • - Previous coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

  • - Performance of ventriculography, aortography or ad hoc coronary angioplasty.

  • - Iodinated contrast allergy previously known that cannot receive pre-medication.

  • - Women with possibility of being pregnant.

  • - Inclusion in other clinical trials or registries.

* Endpoints and Definitions:

Primary endpoint was total volume (mL) of iodinated contrast used during diagnostic coronary procedures.

Secondary endpoints were related to the development of radial spasm, duration of the procedure, exposure to ionizing radiation and economic costs.

Radial spasm was defined as the presence of at least two of the following criteria: a) catheter manipulation resistance; b) pain in the arm during catheterization; c) pain after catheter manipulation; d) pain after sheath removal or e) resistance during sheath removal.44 Trilla M, Freixa X, Regueiro A, Fernández-Rodriguez D, Brugaletta S, Martin-Yuste V, et al. Impact of Aging on Radial Spasm During Coronary Catheterization. J Invasive Cardiol. 2015;27(12):E303-7.

Duration of the coronary procedure was indirectly evaluated by fluoroscopy time (min).

Exposure to ionizing radiation was evaluated by dose-area product (DAP) and air kerma.

Economic costs, measured in € per procedure, were defined as the direct attributable costs to each strategy for coronary angiography, including the type and number of catheters, the drugs used in the cath lab, the fungible material and the amount of iodinated contrast used in each procedure.1010 Dorenkamp M, Bonaventura K, Sohns C, Becker CR, Leber AW. Direct costs and cost-effectiveness of dual-source computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography in patients with an intermediate pretest likelihood for coronary artery disease. Heart. 2012;98(6):460-7.,1111 Plehn G, Butz T, Maagh P, Oernek A, Meissner A, Plehn N. Is it time to rebalance the case mix? A portfolio analysis of direct catheterization laboratory costs over a 5-year period. Eur J Med Res. 2016;21(1):44. Economic costs related to material used for coronary angiography are described in Supplementary Material.

Procedural issues

Only patients referred for diagnostic coronary angiography by right radial access were recruited, because TIG I catheters are not designed to perform coronary angiography by left radial access or femoral access.66 Vorpahl M, Koehler T, Foerst J, Panagiotopoulos S, Schleiting H, Koss K, et al. Single Center Retrospective Analysis of Conventional and Radial TIG Catheters for Transradial Diagnostic Coronary Angiography. Cardiol Res Pract. 2015 Sep;2015:862156.,99 Langer C, Riehle J, Frey N, Wiemer M. Transradial Coronary Angiography--Insights to the One-Catheter Concept. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(1):113-6. Patients were assigned to two-catheter or one-catheter strategy at the discretion of the interventional cardiologist.

Palpable right radial artery, as well non-pathological Allen’s test, were mandatory to perform right radial access. In order to minimize arterial spasm, sublingual diazepam (10 mg) was given 30 minutes before the administration of local anesthesia subcutaneously. Using the Seldinger technique, a 5 or 6 Fr hydrophilic radial Glidesheath was implanted (RADIFOCUS® INTRODUCER II; Terumo Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium). Then, an intra-arterial bolus with 2 mg of verapamil and 50 IU/Kg of unfractionated heparin was administered. The radial glide sheath was removed immediately after the diagnostic procedure, and hemostasis was obtained by 4-hour compression with conventional compressive dressings.1212 Bertrand OF, Rao SV, Pancholy S, Jolly SS, Rodés-Cabau J, Larose E, et al. Transradial approach for coronary angiography and interventions: results of the first international transradial practice survey. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2010;3(10):1022-31.

Standard J-curve 0.035 guide wire (Radifocus M; Terumo Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium) was used for the insertion and exchange of catheters. In order to obtain optimal quality images by coronary angiography, minimum of 5 views for the left coronary artery and minimum of 3 views for the right coronary artery were taken. The contrast volume used was 7 mL at 3 mL/sec for the left coronary artery and 4 mL at 2 mL/sec for the right coronary artery. However, the amount of contrast in each injection and the final number of views for correct assessment of the coronary tree was at the operator’s discretion.

Low-osmolar iodinated contrast media [Xenetix 350 (Iobitridol; Guerbert Group, Villepinte, France)] in combination with robotic contrast injector ACIST CVi® (ACIST Medical Systems, Eden Prairie, MN, USA) was used to make contrast administration uniform. The images were acquired as follows: low-quality fluoroscopy at 7.5 images/sec for coronary cannulation and cinefluoroscopy at 15 images/sec for coronary views.

Data related to baseline clinical characteristics, indication for coronary angiography and angiographic characteristics (number of coronary vessels with stenosis >50%), volume of iodinated contrast, radial spasm, access crossover, need for supplemental catheters, procedural duration, direct economic costs and information regarding exposure to ionizing radiations were collected. In the case of failure to engage the coronary artery ostium, crossover to alternative strategy was performed. All data generated were collected prospectively and entered into a specific computerized database.

Statistical analysis

SPSS Statistics 24.0 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for data analysis. All p values ​​were evaluated in two tails, with p values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Categorical variables were expressed as count (percentage) and were compared using the chi-square test. Continuous variables were explored for normal distribution using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Normally distributed variables were expressed as mean (1 standard deviation) and non-normally distributed variables were expressed as median (interquartile range) and were compared using unpaired Student’s t-test or U Mann-Whitney tests as appropriate.

Results

A total of 1,953 diagnostic coronary procedures, in 1,829 patients, was collected between January 2013 and June 2017. Two-hundred fifty-two procedures (12.9%) were performed by one-catheter strategy and 1,701 procedures (87.1%) by two-catheter strategy. The study flowchart is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2
Study Flowchart.

Baseline clinical characteristics

Baseline clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. There were no differences between the two comparison groups

Table 1
Baseline clinical characteristics

Procedural indications and angiographic characteristics

Data regarding angiographic indications and characteristics are shown in Table 2. No differences were detected between comparison groups in clinical presentation, diseased vessels and coronary artery disease extension.

Table 2
Procedural indications and angiographic characteristics

Endpoints

Table 3 shows the comparative data regarding endpoints. The one-catheter strategy group received less amount of iodinated contrast than the two-catheter strategy group [77 (60-105) mL vs. 92 (64-120) mL; p < 0.001]. Also, the one-catheter strategy group presented less radial spasm (6.0% vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001) and shorter coronary procedures [Fluoroscopy time: 3.9 (2.2-8.0) min vs. 4.8 (2.9-8.3) min, p = 0.001] than the two-catheter strategy group.

Table 3
Endpoints

No differences between one-catheter and two-catheter strategies were observed in access crossover (3.6% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.360) and need for supplemental catheters to complete coronary angiography (15.9% vs. 12.5%, p = 0.132). Also, there were no differences in exposure to ionizing radiations, evaluated as DAP [3488 (2556-5369) mGy.m2 vs. 3711 (2393-5762) mGy.m2; p = 0.831] and air kerma [582 (407-917) mGy vs. 641 (424-974) mGy; p=0.165].

Regarding economic analysis, the one-catheter strategy reduced direct costs attributable to coronary procedures [149 (140-160) €/procedure vs. 171 (160-183) €/procedure; p < 0.001] in comparison with the conventional strategy.

Discussion

The main findings of our investigation were that one-catheter strategy, with TIG catheters, is associated with reduction in radial spasm, iodinated contrast consumption, duration of the coronary procedure and economic costs in coronary angiography.

Radial spasm is a relatively common complication during transradial coronary catheterization, and its incidence is variable, ranging from 5% to 30%.1212 Bertrand OF, Rao SV, Pancholy S, Jolly SS, Rodés-Cabau J, Larose E, et al. Transradial approach for coronary angiography and interventions: results of the first international transradial practice survey. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2010;3(10):1022-31.

13 Kiemeneij F, Vajifdar BU, Eccleshall SC, Laarman G, Slagboom T, van der Wieken R. Evaluation of a spasmolytic cocktail to prevent radial artery spasm during coronary procedures. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2003;58(3):281-4.

14 Abdelaal E, Brousseau-Provencher C, Montminy S, Plourde G, MacHaalany J, Bataille Y, et al. Risk score, causes, and clinical impact of failure of transradial approach for percutaneous coronary interventions. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2013;6(11)1129-37.

15 Jia DA, Zhou YJ, Shi DM, Liu YY, Wang JL, Liu XL, et al. Incidence and predictors of radial artery spasm during transradial coronary angiography and intervention. Chin Med J. 2010;123(7):843-7.
-1616 Gorgulu S, Norgaz T, Karaahmet T, Dagdelen S. Incidence and predictors of radial artery spasm at the beginning of a transradial coronary procedure. J Interv Cardiol. 2013;26(2):208-13. This complication reduces patient comfort and procedural success,11 Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, Antunes MJ, Bucciarelli-Ducci C, Bueno H, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation: The Task Force for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2018;39(2):119-77

2 Hamon M, Pristipino C, Di Mario C, Nolan J, Ludwig J, Tubaro M, et al. Consensus document on the radial approach in percutaneous cardiovascular interventions: Position paper by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions and Working Groups on Acute Cardiac Care and Thrombosis of the European Society of Cardiology. EuroIntervention. 2013;8(11):1242-51

3 Romagnoli E, Biondi-Zoccai G, Sciahbasi A, Politi L, Rigattieri S, Pendenza G, et al. Radial versus femoral randomized investigation in ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome: The rifle-steacs (radial versus femoral randomized investigation in ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome) study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(24):2481-9

4 Trilla M, Freixa X, Regueiro A, Fernández-Rodriguez D, Brugaletta S, Martin-Yuste V, et al. Impact of Aging on Radial Spasm During Coronary Catheterization. J Invasive Cardiol. 2015;27(12):E303-7.

5 Sanmartin M, Esparza J, Moxica J, Baz JA, Iñiguez-Romo A. Safety and efficacy of a multipurpose coronary angiography strategy using the transradial technique. J Invasive Cardiol. 2005;17(11):594-7.

6 Vorpahl M, Koehler T, Foerst J, Panagiotopoulos S, Schleiting H, Koss K, et al. Single Center Retrospective Analysis of Conventional and Radial TIG Catheters for Transradial Diagnostic Coronary Angiography. Cardiol Res Pract. 2015 Sep;2015:862156.

7 Erden I, Golcuk E, Bozyel S, Erden EC, Balaban Y, Yalin K, et al. Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2017;30(1):24-32

8 Plourde G, Abdelaal E, MacHaalany J, Rimac G, Poirier Y, Arsenault J, et al. Comparison of radiation exposure during transradial diagnostic coronary angiography with single- or multi-catheters approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2017;90(2):243-48.

9 Langer C, Riehle J, Frey N, Wiemer M. Transradial Coronary Angiography--Insights to the One-Catheter Concept. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(1):113-6.

10 Dorenkamp M, Bonaventura K, Sohns C, Becker CR, Leber AW. Direct costs and cost-effectiveness of dual-source computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography in patients with an intermediate pretest likelihood for coronary artery disease. Heart. 2012;98(6):460-7.

11 Plehn G, Butz T, Maagh P, Oernek A, Meissner A, Plehn N. Is it time to rebalance the case mix? A portfolio analysis of direct catheterization laboratory costs over a 5-year period. Eur J Med Res. 2016;21(1):44.

12 Bertrand OF, Rao SV, Pancholy S, Jolly SS, Rodés-Cabau J, Larose E, et al. Transradial approach for coronary angiography and interventions: results of the first international transradial practice survey. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2010;3(10):1022-31.
-1313 Kiemeneij F, Vajifdar BU, Eccleshall SC, Laarman G, Slagboom T, van der Wieken R. Evaluation of a spasmolytic cocktail to prevent radial artery spasm during coronary procedures. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2003;58(3):281-4. and when it involves the need for crossover to transfemoral access it is related with an increase in vascular complications.1717 Sanmartin M, Cuevas D, Goicolea J, Ruiz-Salmeron R, Gomez M, Argibay V. Vascular complications associated with radial artery access for cardiac catheterization. Rev Esp Cardiol. 2004;57(6):581-84. 18.- Turan B, Erkol A, Mutlu A, Dasli T, Erden I. Effectiveness of Left Judkins Catheter as a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography From Right Radial Artery: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(3):257-64.

Although the overall rate of radial spasm in our investigation (9.0%) was in the lower range of studies that have evaluated this item in coronary procedures, one-catheter strategy allowed reducing the incidence of radial spasm (one-catheter strategy: 5.2% vs. two-catheter strategy: 9.3%, p = 0.022). These results are in line with three of the most recent randomized clinical trials, demonstrating a reduction in radial spasm by the one-catheter strategy.77 Erden I, Golcuk E, Bozyel S, Erden EC, Balaban Y, Yalin K, et al. Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2017;30(1):24-32,1818 Turan B, Erkol A, Mutlu A, Dasli T, Erden I. Effectiveness of Left Judkins Catheter as a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography From Right Radial Artery: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(3):257-64.,1919 Xanthopoulou I, Stavrou K, Davlouros P, Tsigkas G, Koufou E, Almpanis G, et al. Randomized comparison of JUDkins vs tiGEr catheter in coronary angiography via the right radial artery: the JUDGE study. EuroIntervention. 2018;13(16):1950-8.

Many factors, such as age, female gender, multiple radial punctures and radial diameter, are related with radial spasm.44 Trilla M, Freixa X, Regueiro A, Fernández-Rodriguez D, Brugaletta S, Martin-Yuste V, et al. Impact of Aging on Radial Spasm During Coronary Catheterization. J Invasive Cardiol. 2015;27(12):E303-7.,1414 Abdelaal E, Brousseau-Provencher C, Montminy S, Plourde G, MacHaalany J, Bataille Y, et al. Risk score, causes, and clinical impact of failure of transradial approach for percutaneous coronary interventions. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2013;6(11)1129-37.

15 Jia DA, Zhou YJ, Shi DM, Liu YY, Wang JL, Liu XL, et al. Incidence and predictors of radial artery spasm during transradial coronary angiography and intervention. Chin Med J. 2010;123(7):843-7.
-1616 Gorgulu S, Norgaz T, Karaahmet T, Dagdelen S. Incidence and predictors of radial artery spasm at the beginning of a transradial coronary procedure. J Interv Cardiol. 2013;26(2):208-13.,2020 Goldsmit A, Kiemeneij F, Gilchrist IC, Kantor P, Kedev S, Kwan T, et al. Radial artery spasm associated with transradial cardiovascular procedures: results from the RAS registry. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;83(1):E32-6. Furthermore, exchange of catheters during transradial access has been linked to radial spasm induction, probably related to repeated stimulation of the radial artery.44 Trilla M, Freixa X, Regueiro A, Fernández-Rodriguez D, Brugaletta S, Martin-Yuste V, et al. Impact of Aging on Radial Spasm During Coronary Catheterization. J Invasive Cardiol. 2015;27(12):E303-7. As a result, radial spasm is not only associated with patient discomfort, procedural failure and morbidity and mortality, but also with high difficulty handling coronary catheters. This leads to more radiological tests to achieve cannulation of the coronary ostia and, therefore, to an increment in fluoroscopy time and total amount of iodinated contrast.

Iodinated radiological agents are related with several complications, highlighting contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). CIN, affecting 1% to 33% of patients referred for invasive coronary angiography, is one of the most common causes of acquired renal failure in cardiology patients.2020 Goldsmit A, Kiemeneij F, Gilchrist IC, Kantor P, Kedev S, Kwan T, et al. Radial artery spasm associated with transradial cardiovascular procedures: results from the RAS registry. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;83(1):E32-6.

21 Parfrey PS, Griffiths SM, Barrett BJ, Paul MD, Genge M, Withers J, et al. Contrast material-induced renal failure in patients with diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, or both: a prospective controlled study. N Engl J Med. 1989;320(3):143-9.

22 Gruberg L, Mintz GS, Mehran R, Gangas G, Lansky AJ, Kent KM, et al. The prognostic implications of further renal function deterioration within 48 h of interventional coronary procedures in patients with pre-existent chronic renal insufficiency. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000;36(5):1542-8.

23 McCullough PA, Wolyn R, Rocher LL, Levin RN, O'Neill WW. Acute renal failure after coronary intervention: incidence, risk factors, and relationship to mortality. Am J Med. 1997;103(5):368-75.
-2424 Roffi M, Patrono C, Collet JP, Mueller C, Valgimigli M, Andreotti F, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation: Task Force for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients Presenting without Persistent ST-Segment Elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2016;37(3):267-315. The development of CIN after an invasive coronary procedure is associated with long hospital stay, marked increase in morbidity and mortality, as well as an increase in health costs.2222 Gruberg L, Mintz GS, Mehran R, Gangas G, Lansky AJ, Kent KM, et al. The prognostic implications of further renal function deterioration within 48 h of interventional coronary procedures in patients with pre-existent chronic renal insufficiency. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2000;36(5):1542-8.,2424 Roffi M, Patrono C, Collet JP, Mueller C, Valgimigli M, Andreotti F, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation: Task Force for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes in Patients Presenting without Persistent ST-Segment Elevation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2016;37(3):267-315.

Classical studies have shown that iodinated contrast volume used in invasive coronary procedures is closely related to the onset of CIN.2121 Parfrey PS, Griffiths SM, Barrett BJ, Paul MD, Genge M, Withers J, et al. Contrast material-induced renal failure in patients with diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, or both: a prospective controlled study. N Engl J Med. 1989;320(3):143-9.,2323 McCullough PA, Wolyn R, Rocher LL, Levin RN, O'Neill WW. Acute renal failure after coronary intervention: incidence, risk factors, and relationship to mortality. Am J Med. 1997;103(5):368-75.,2626 Cigarroa RG, Lange RA, Williams RH, Hillis LD. Dosing of contrast material to prevent contrast nephropathy in patients with renal disease. Am J Med. 1989;86(6 Pt 1):649-52. To date, most studies on CIN prevention have not focused on specific techniques for reducing contrast administration. Only a recent observational study has shown reduction in CIN secondary to a specific technique for decreasing contrast administration by using rotational coronary angiography.2727 Fernández-Rodríguez D, Grillo-Pérez JJ, Pérez-Hernández H, Rodríguez-Esteban M, Pimienta R, Acosta-Materán C, et al. Prospective evaluation of the development of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing rotational coronary angiography vs. conventional coronary angiography: CINERAMA study. Nefrologia. 2018;38(2):169-78 Therefore, savings with iodinated contrast by one-catheter strategy, as shown in our investigation and corroborated by multiple studies,77 Erden I, Golcuk E, Bozyel S, Erden EC, Balaban Y, Yalin K, et al. Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2017;30(1):24-32

8 Plourde G, Abdelaal E, MacHaalany J, Rimac G, Poirier Y, Arsenault J, et al. Comparison of radiation exposure during transradial diagnostic coronary angiography with single- or multi-catheters approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2017;90(2):243-48.

9 Langer C, Riehle J, Frey N, Wiemer M. Transradial Coronary Angiography--Insights to the One-Catheter Concept. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(1):113-6.
-1010 Dorenkamp M, Bonaventura K, Sohns C, Becker CR, Leber AW. Direct costs and cost-effectiveness of dual-source computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography in patients with an intermediate pretest likelihood for coronary artery disease. Heart. 2012;98(6):460-7.,1818 Turan B, Erkol A, Mutlu A, Dasli T, Erden I. Effectiveness of Left Judkins Catheter as a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography From Right Radial Artery: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy. J Interv Cardiol. 2016;29(3):257-64.,2727 Fernández-Rodríguez D, Grillo-Pérez JJ, Pérez-Hernández H, Rodríguez-Esteban M, Pimienta R, Acosta-Materán C, et al. Prospective evaluation of the development of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing rotational coronary angiography vs. conventional coronary angiography: CINERAMA study. Nefrologia. 2018;38(2):169-78 could reduce CIN.

Studying the economic impact of medical interventions is crucial to assess the implementation of new diagnostic/therapeutic techniques. A small observational study evaluated economic costs related to the use of TIG I catheter in a one-catheter strategy compared with Judkins catheters in a two-catheter strategy.2828 Zhu ZS, Chen SL, Fei Y, Zhang JJ, Lin S, Ttan NL, et al. Efficacy and safety of multifunctional 5 F Tiger I catheter in application of coronary artery angiography through right radial artery pathway. J Chin Clin Med. 2010;5(12):712-5. Nevertheless, that study only evaluated costs related to the consumption of coronary catheters. To our best knowledge, our investigation is the first one evaluating all direct economic costs attributable to the one-catheter strategy for diagnostic coronary interventions. Our results show that it is related to a significant reduction in economic cost per procedure. This fact is mediated fundamentally by three factors: a) use of fewer coronary catheters; b) reduction in radial spasm, which reduces the use of more doses of spasmolytic medication and facilitates completion of diagnosis without using supplementary catheters and crossover to another arterial access with consequent expenditure on material; and c) reduced consumption of radiological contrast.

Although savings per unit are low (22 €/procedure), the long-term impact could be very important. Also, reduced use of iodinated contrast and the decrease in radial spasm could also reduce the indirect economic costs derived from CIN and crossover to transfemoral access.

Limitations of the study

Firstly, this study is an observational analysis with inherent biases. However, this is one of the largest studies to evaluate the impact of using a one-catheter strategy with TIG I catheters in invasive coronary procedures. Secondly, data refer to the population of our geographic area and, therefore, cannot be fully extrapolated to other geographic areas. Thirdly, the performance of ventriculography and the diagnostic coronary procedure protocol may differ between different cath labs. However, we consider that our coronary angiography protocol can be considered conservative in the administration of contrast by excluding ventriculography and limiting the number of angiographic views and the volume of iodinated contrast per angiographic view and, for these reasons, we consider that comparison groups were well-balanced and the final volume of contrast administered was not overestimated. Fourthly, the type of material used (sheaths and catheters), as well as the size of radial sheaths can influence the development of radial spasm. The absence of detailed data regarding the size of the radial sheaths is a limitation of our study. However, the use of hydrophilic sheaths and widely-used catheter trademarks allow our data to be extrapolated to other cath labs. Fifthly, the economic analysis contemplates only the direct costs of the diagnostic coronary procedure and they refer to the prices in our institution. Nevertheless, our study is the first one evaluating total direct economic costs related to one-catheter strategy for coronary angiography. Also, as the savings are conditioned by the lower use of catheters and radial spasm and by the reduction in contrast administration, we consider that results could be easily transferable to other centres.

Conclusions

The performance of diagnostic coronary angiography using the one-catheter strategy, with TIG catheters, was associated with better performance, in terms of radial spasm, administration of iodinated contrast and economic savings in diagnostic coronary procedures than conventional two-catheter strategy.

  • Sources of Funding
    There were no external funding sources for this study.
  • Study Association
    This study is not associated with any thesis or dissertation work
  • Ethics approval and consent to participate
    This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida under the protocol number PI 13/16. All the procedures in this study were in accordance with the 1975 Helsinki Declaration, updated in 2013. Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

Supplementary Material

Direct attributable costs related to coronary angiography procedures (Prices of material used for coronary angiography)

MATERIAL UNIT PRICE Catheter TIGER I RH-5TIG110M Radiofocus Optitorque® 5F; Terumo Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium 17.45 € Catheter 534518T INFINITI® 5F Judkins Left; Cordis Corporation, Cashel, Ireland 17.95 € Catheter 534523T INFINITI® 5F Judkins Right; Cordis Corporation, Cashel, Ireland 17.95 € Xenetix 350 100mL/Bottle; Guerbert Group, Villepinte, France 35.09 € Sheath RT-R50G10PQ RADIFOCUS® INTRODUCER II 5 Fr or 6 Fr; Terumo Europe N.V., Leuven, Belgium 10.71 € Exchange Guidewire M001491031 Starter "J" Curved Fixed Core 0.035 x 260 cm; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA 8.40 € Sterile Pack CombiSet® REF 266315; Hartmann, Heidenheim, Germany 40.31 € Injector control AngioTouch® Kit; ACIST Medical Systems, Inc, Eden Prairie, MN, USA 38.00 € Mepivacaine 2%; BBraun, Melsungen, Germany 0.87 € Heparin 1%; Hospira Prod. Farm. y Hosp S.L, Alcobendas, Spain 1.89 € Verapamil hydrochloride 2.5 mg/mL; Mylan, Canonsburg, PA, USA 0.59 €

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    02 Dec 2019
  • Date of issue
    Nov 2019

History

  • Received
    28 Oct 2018
  • Reviewed
    03 Mar 2019
  • Accepted
    24 Apr 2019
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