Vascular complications after balloon and new device angioplasty

Despite their potential advantages, new coronary angioplasty devices may be associated with more frequent vascular complications than noted after standard balloon angioplasty, theoretically due to the larger sheaths and prolonged periods of anticoagulation required by some of these devices. This study sought to identify the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcome of vascular complications after new device angioplasty.

The clinical course of 1413 patients was reviewed after balloon or new device angioplasty. Vascular complications were defined as formation of a pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, retroperitoneal hematoma, or groin hematoma associated with a > 15-point hematocrit drop or the need for surgical repair. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors for vascular complications. Vascular complications developed after 84 (5.9%) procedures; they occurred more frequently after intracoronary stenting (14.0%) and extraction atherectomy (12.5%) than after balloon angioplasty (3.2%) (odds ratios, 4.86; P < .001, and 4.26, P < .05, respectively). Independent predictors of vascular complications included the use of intraprocedural thrombolytic agents (P < .01), intracoronary stenting (P < .005), or extraction atherectomy (P < .05); high maximum creatinine level (P < .005); low nadir platelet count (P < .001); longer periods of excess anticoagulation (P < .05); and the need for repeat coronary angioplasty (P < .005). Vascular complications were not related to the size of the arterial sheath used.

Vascular complications developed more frequently after new device angioplasty than after balloon angioplasty, with the risk for vascular complications directly related to the degree of periprocedural anticoagulation.