title: Transradial percutaneous coronary interventions using sheathless guiding catheters: a multicenter registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transradial approach (TRA) for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) is a common alternative to transfemoral approach associated with lower complications. However, a limitation of TRA is the use of large caliber guiding catheters due to the small size of the radial artery. The sheathless guiding catheter system that is in diameter 1-2 French (Fr) smaller than the corresponding introducer sheath may overcome these difficulties.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 through December 2010 in 5 Italian high-volume hospitals, 213 consecutive patients who underwent TRA-PCIs using the sheathless Eaucath guiding catheter system because of small radial artery caliber (Group 1) or undergoing bifurcation PCIs (Group 2) were enrolled in this registry. In patients of Group 1 (n = 79), a 6.5-Fr sheathless guiding catheter was employed, whereas in patients of Group 2 (n = 134) a 7.5 Fr was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 213 patients enrolled, 270 vessels were treated for 316 lesions. No procedures required conversion to a conventional guiding catheter system. There were significantly more female patients in Group 1, and they were, older, shorter, and thinner than patients in Group 2. No cases of major vascular complications were observed in either groups. During procedures, adjunctive devices employed included intravascular ultrasound, thrombectomy catheters, and distal protection systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the sheathless guiding catheter system is feasible for TRA-PCIs in case of small radial artery caliber or intended coronary bifurcation intervention.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Policlinico Casilino, ASL RMB, Rome, Italy. alessandro.sciahbasi@fastwebnet.it
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Sciahbasi
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Mancone
authors: Bernardo
authors: B
authors: Cortese
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Pendenza
authors: Enrico
authors: E
authors: Romagnoli
authors: Dionigi
authors: D
authors: Fischetti
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Tomassini
authors: Gennaro
authors: G
authors: Sardella
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Lioy
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000628:therapy; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery; D012042:Registries; D017131:Thrombectomy; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional