SAME DAY DISCHARGE VIA A DEDICATED RADIAL LOUNGE - RESULTS OF 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Background: Same day discharge (SDD) is a validated option for selected patients (pts) undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). We analyzed how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced patients admissions to and discharges from our SDD radial lounge. We focused on safety and complications.

Methods: In 2021, 817 pts (age 65±11 years, 28% female) were admitted to the lounge. CAG was performed in 729 pts, and 176 (24%) underwent ad hoc PCI. Furthermore, 88 pts were admitted for implantable device replacement procedures.

Results: Out of 729 transradial CAGs 621 were performed by using the proximal radial approach (PRA) and 108 (15%) via the distal radial approach (DRA). Ninety % of all these procedures (n=655) were performed from the nondominant left hand. PRA was associated with one radial artery occlusion (RAO) and longer compression time (92 ± 24 min vs 75 ± 26 min, p< 0,05). In the PRA group 23 postprocedural local hematomas <5 cm (3%) and 17 hematomas <10cm (2%) were observed but did not require specific treatment. DRA was associated with only 4 superficial hematomas <2 cm and no RAO. No other relevant complications occured in the rest of pts. Ninety % of all pts (n = 732) were discharged home on the same day (≤6 hours after procedures) and none of them was readmitted within the next 24 hours. The remaining 10% of the patients (n = 85) were hospitalized after CAG and PCI, mostly because of severe coronary artery disease findings.

Conclusion: During COVID-19 pandemic, CAG and PCI together with device replacement procedures in our SDD program were associated with a one-year saving of more than 700 overnight stays, minimal complications and 0,1% RAO rate.

Supported by the Charles University Research program „Cooperatio - Cardiovascular Science“ and by MH CZ-DRO (Faculty Hospital in Pilsen - FNPl, 00669806)