Early discharge using five french guiding catheter for transfemural coronary stenting: a feasibility and safety study...

This study assessed the safety and efficacy of early discharge after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using 5Fr guiding catheters with a femoral approach in 100 patients undergoing elective coronary stenting. Patients were treated with aspirin and thienopyridines for 72 hours before PCI, and unfractionated heparin 70 IU/kg (< or = 5,000 IU) intravenously after arterial puncture. PCI was performed by femoral access using 5Fr guiding catheters and immediate postprocedural arterial sheath removal. Patients were discharged within 8 to 12 hours. No closure devices were used. Early discharge using 5Fr catheters was successful in 97% of cases. No deaths, myocardial infarction, or vascular complications occurred at 24 hours and 30 days.