Effect of transradial access on quality of life and cost of cardiac catheterization: A randomized comparison.
BACKGROUND
Transradial access is a recently developed alternative for diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Its effects on quality of life after the procedure, patient preference, and cost are unknown.


RESULTS
We performed a randomized single-center trial in which 99 patients underwent transfemoral and 101 underwent transradial diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Quality of life was measured with the SF-36 and visual analog scales at baseline, 1 day, and 1 week. Patients were examined at 1 day and at 1 week after for complications. Costs were measured prospectively. One patient in the femoral group and 2 in the radial group crossed over to the alternative access site. There were no major access site complications. One patient in the transfemoral group had a minor stroke. Transradial catheterization significantly reduced median length of stay (3.6 vs 10.4 hours, P <.0001). Over the first day after the procedure, measures of bodily pain, back pain, and walking ability favored the transradial group (P <.05 for all comparisons). Over the week after the procedure, changes in role limitations caused by physical health, bodily pain, and back pain favored the transradial group (P <.05 for all comparisons). There was a strong patient preference for transradial catheterization as well (P <. 0001). Transradial catheterization led to significant reductions in bed, pharmacy, and total hospital costs ($2010 vs $2299, P <.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization, transradial access leads to improved quality of life after the procedure, is strongly preferred by patients, and reduces hospital costs.
Cooper
C J
CJ
Medical College of Ohio, Cardiology Division, Toledo, Ohio 43699-0008, USA. ccooper@mco.edu
El-Shiekh
R A
RA
Cohen
D J
DJ
Blaesing
L
L
Burket
M W
MW
Basu
A
A
Moore
J A
JA
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D017534:Radial Artery; D011859:Radiography