Forearm hematoma as a complication of transradial coronary intervention: an Indian single-center experience.

BACKGROUND

Forearm hematomas are not uncommon after transradial coronary interventions. The present study describes the incidence and predictors of forearm hematoma formation after transradial coronary interventions.

METHODS

This was a prospective study in 1754 patients undergoing angiography/angioplasty through transradial access. Each procedure was performed using optimum levels of anticoagulation, hydrophilic sheaths, and post-procedural patent hemostasis protocols. Patients were evaluated for forearm hematoma immediately after the procedure, after radial band removal, and on the next day of the procedure. Severity of hematomas was graded according to the Early Discharge after Transradial Stenting of Coronary Arteries Study scale. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine the predictors of hematoma formation.

RESULTS

Mean age of the patients was 56.31 years and 82.2% were males. A total of 1374 (78.3%) patients underwent angioplasty while 380 (21.7%) underwent angiography. Forearm hematoma developed in 187 (10.7%) patients. Grade I hematoma was most common (3.53%) followed by Grade II (3.08%), Grade III (2.83%) and Grade IV (1.25%) hematoma. None of the patients required vascular or surgical interventions for this complication. Female gender, multiple puncture attempts, intensive antiplatelet therapy, complex procedure and longer hemostasis time were significant predictors of forearm hematoma formation post transradial coronary interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

Forearm hematoma developed in substantial proportion of patients undergoing transradial coronary interventions and interventional variables were predominantly associated with hematoma formation. Pre-emptive knowledge of modifiable interventional risk factors can help in reducing the burden of this complication.