Feasibility and safety of same-day discharge after complex percutaneous coronary intervention using forearm approach

Objectives We sought to assess the feasibility and safety of same-day discharge (SDD) after complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a forearm approach. Background SDD has been shown to be safe after elective, low-risk PCI. However, the feasibility and safety of SDD in more complex patients and lesions has received limited study. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1190 elective PCIs that were performed between January 2013 and December 2015 at the Red Cross General Hospital. Results Of the 1190 PCIs, 166 (13.9%) were complex (bifurcations, vein and arterial grafts, unprotected left main, last remaining vessel, chronic total occlusions, or with utilization of rotational atherectomy or hemodynamic support). As compared with non-complex cases, complex cases were associated with older age, male gender, higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, lower prevalence of smoking, higher utilization of femoral access and 7F guiding catheters, higher contrast utilization and fluoroscopy dose, longer fluoroscopy time, more stents per lesion, more frequent single vessel treatment and non-complete revascularization, and treatment with ticagrelor and bivalirudin. Among the patients who underwent complex PCI (n = 166), twenty eight (16.9%) were discharged the same day. SDD after complex PCI was associated with younger age and more frequent use of forearm access. The 30-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events after complex PCI was 0% vs 3.6% (p = 0.59) in patients with SDD vs. overnight hospitalization. Conclusions SDD is feasible and safe in selected patients undergoing elective complex PCI using the forearm approach.