Sheathless guiding catheter versus “slender” sheath/guiding catheter combination in acute coronary syndrome: a propensity-matched analysis of two downsized devices

Abstract

Abstract Purpose We investigated the differences between a sheathless guiding catheter and a Glidesheath slender/guiding catheter combination regarding access-site complications in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods We enrolled consecutive 1108 patients undergoing transradial primary PCI for ACS at our hospital using either a 7.5-Fr sheathless guiding catheter (Sheathless group) or a 7-Fr Glidesheath slender/7-Fr guiding catheter combination (Glidesheath group); 1:1 propensity score matching was performed, and 718 subjects (359 in each group) were included in the propensity-matched sample. Results Compared with the Sheathless group, the Glidesheath group had significantly less frequent ultrasound-diagnosed radial artery occlusion at 30 days (Sheathless: 4.7% vs. Glidesheath: 1.4%, p=0.015). No significant differences were observed in severe radial spasm (Sheathless: 1.4% vs. Glidesheath: 2.0%, p=0.77) or access-site bleeding (Sheathless: 9.8% vs. Glidesheath: 8.6%, p=0.70). Conclusion Thus, 7-Fr Glidesheath slender/7-Fr guiding catheter combination is clearly more advantageous than 7.5-Fr sheathless guiding catheters for decreased risk of radial artery occlusion in transradial PCI for ACS. “Sheathless” vs. “Glidesheath slender” Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None