[Coronary arteriography with a very low profile catheter: efficacy and safety of the procedure and of the 60 minute hospital discharge].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of the use of 4F Judkins catheters for coronary angiography.


METHODS
From August/95 to January/96, 70 patients with suspected coronary artery disease underwent coronary cineangiography by the Judkins technique, with 4F catheters. Following puncture of the right femoral artery, 4F sheaths were introduced. At the end of the procedure, the sheath was removed and manual compression was applied for 15 min. Patients were oriented to walk under specialized supervision, 60 min after the procedure, and discharged after 4h.


RESULTS
Thirty nine (56%) patients were male, the age ranged from 31 to 83 (mean 57) years and weight from 43 to 101 (mean 69) kg. Optimal quality images were obtained in 62 patients (88%). It was necessary to use larger caliber catheters (6 and 8F) in 8 patients, due to femoral tortuosity or inadequate opacification of coronary arteries. There were no vascular complications nor major bleedings. In only 2 cases (3%) there was a minor bleeding, treated by new local compression. Sixty (85%) patients walked after 60 +/- 5 min and were discharged after 4h.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 4F catheters for coronary angiography by femoral approach allowed early deambulation with no major bleeding. Image quality was good, with little contrast used and short hospital stay. This technique may lead to a simpler less traumatic and less invasive coronary angiography.
Berti
S
S
Instituto Dante Pazzanese de Cardiologia, São Paulo.
Feres
F
F
Castro
D
D
Gusmão
M
M
Staico
R
R
Padilha
R
R
Chaves
A
A
Centemero
M
M
Mattos
L A
LA
Sousa
A
A
Sousa
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Arteriografia coronária com cateter de muito baixo perfil. Eficácia e segurança do procedimento e da alta hospitalar aos 60 minutos.