RIFLE-STEACS: Radial Access Improves Outcomes in Early Invasive Therapy

August 1st, 2012

RIFLE-STEACS: Radial Access Improves Outcomes in Early Invasive Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

For early invasive therapy for ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (STEACS), the use of radial access instead of femoral access reduces bleeding complications and improves outcomes, according to the first large, randomized trial testing the two approaches in this population. The results of the Radial Versus Femoral Randomized Investigation in ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (RIFLE-STEACS) study were published online today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Investigators in Italy and the Netherlands randomized 1001 patients with acute STEACS to either the radial or femoral approach. At 30 days, the composite of cardiac death, stroke, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and bleeding (net adverse clinical events, or NACEs) was significantly lower in the radial group than in the femoral group. Cardiac death and bleeding complications were also reduced in the radial group, although there were no significant differences in MI, target lesion revascularization, or stroke. Hospital stay was shorter in the radial group.

NACEs: 13.6% in the radial group vs. 21.0% in the femoral group, p=0.003
cardiac deaths: 5.2% vs. 9.2%, p=0.020
bleeding: 7.8% vs. 12.2%, p=0.026
hospital stay: 5 vs. 6 days , p =0.03

The door-to-balloon time was similar in the two groups, but radial access slightly prolonged the time from artery puncture to first balloon inflation.

The result, say the authors, “corroborates the link between mortality and ‘clinically relevant’ access site bleeding.” They speculate that the beneficial effect of the radial approach may be due to reductions in bleeding-related hemodynamic compromise, the need for blood transfusion, and lifesaving drug discontinuation. More rapid mobilization of the patient may also play a role.

Radial access, the authors conclude, “should become the recommended approach in these patients, provided adequate operator and center expertise is present.”

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August 1st, 2012