Abstract

Background: Angiography is the gold standard in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery diseases, and the femoral approach is usually preferred. Here we aimed to determine which intervention technique minimizes complications of the femoral approach in patients aged >75 years. Method: 309 patients aged >75 years were included. They were divided into group 1 (ultrasoundguided intervention group) and group 2 (palpation-guided intervention group) and were compared in terms of clinical and demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, surgical complications, average intervention time, success rate at initial intervention, and accidental venous intervention rate. Results: Average intervention time (26 (21-25) vs 39 (25-61) min; p < 0.001), average number of intervention attempts (1.10±0.35vs.1.58±1.05; p = 0.012), average accidental venous intervention rate [3 (1.9%) vs. 16 (10%); p<0.001], and average visual analog scale score for pain (2 (1-5) vs. 7 (3-9); p < 0.001) were significantly lower in group 1. Success rate at initial intervention was higher in group 1 [140 (89%) vs. 105 (69%); p<0.001]. Frequency of hematoma, early hematoma, and arteriovenous fistula were lower in group 1. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided femoral artery intervention requires less time and provides higher cannulation success rate at the initial attempt, with lesser pain and lower complication rates.

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