title: The TRACE registry (Trans-Radial Approach in Central and northErn Greece).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined trans-radial approach (TRA) use in coronary angiographies (CAs) as well as in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in specific regions of Greece, its distribution in public and private catheterization laboratories (CLs) and its preference by operators. Reliable data regarding the use of TRA are not available in Greece.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed in northern and central Greece, which constitutes 35.32% of the national population. This study focused on the years 2004, 2009 and 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are 12 CLs. CAs performed using TRA were 0.43% in 2004, 12.28% in 2009 and 39.81% in 2013, whereas PCIs performed using TRA were 0.38%, 9.20% and 39.48%, respectively. Operators familiar with TRA, but who performed TRA electively, were 13.33% in 2004, 60.38% in 2009 and 42.37% in 2013. However, operators performing TRA routinely were 2.2%, 5.66%, and 49.15%, respectively. In 2013, there was a 3.76% decrease in CAs and 4.51% decrease in PCIs compared to 2009; in private CLs, there was a 29.63% decrease in CAs and 34.72% decrease in PCIs performed, which was contradictory to the 27.27% increase observed in CAs and 29.83% increase in PCIs in public CLs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to reveal the volumes and trends in interventions performed via TRA across central and northern Greece. TRA has gained a reputation among operators in both public and private CLs. Due to the financial crisis in Greece, catheterizations have been diminished, whereas private CLs have lost a great amount of their turnover.
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ziakas
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: sotiriskatranas@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katranas
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, "G. Papageorgiou" Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bobotis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, "G.N. Papanikolaou" Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Aggeliki-Despoina
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mavrogianni
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Cardiology, Kyanous Stavros Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graidis
authors.affiliation: Thessaloniki Heart Institute, St. Luke's Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mezilis
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Cardiology, European Interbalkan Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Αntonios
authors.initials: Α
authors.lastname: Arampatzis
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, University General Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nikas
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, 424 General Military Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Economou
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Cardiology, Euromedica Geniki Kliniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Athanasiadis
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stakos
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, General Hospital of Larisa, University of Thessaly Medical School, Larisa, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dimopoulos
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, G. Hatzikosta General Hospital, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Κouparanis
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petroglou
authors.affiliation: 1(st) Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Haralampos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karvounis
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D012042:Registries; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Coronary angiography; Financial crisis; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Trans-femoral approach