Comparative Analysis of Demographics, Risk Factors, and Procedural Outcomes in Combo Versus Conventional 6Fr Technique for Transradial PCI

Introduction: Transradial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become the preferred approach for coronary revascularization due to its association with reduced bleeding complications and faster patient recovery compared to the transfemoral route. Among various techniques, the conventional 6 French (6Fr) approach is widely used; however, newer methods like the combo technique have been developed to potentially improve procedural efficiency. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Cardiology at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between July 2020 and June 2021. Study subjects were divided into two groups, Group I: Transradial PCI using ―the Combo technique, and Group II: Transradial PCI using the conventional 6 Fr guide catheter technique, and in each group, 64 patients were included. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 24.0. Result: The combo technique group had a shorter mean procedure time (34.2 ± 5.6 minutes vs. 36.7 ± 6.2 minutes, p=0.041), reduced fluoroscopy time (8.3 ± 2.1 minutes vs. 9.7 ± 2.5 minutes, p=0.015), and lower contrast volume used (145.5 ± 28.7 mL vs. 158.3 ± 30.1 mL, p=0.036) compared to the conventional group. Procedural success rates were similar (96.9% vs. 95.3%, p=0.646), with fewer radial artery spasms in the combo group (12.5% vs. 28.1%, p=0.047). Conclusion: The combo technique demonstrated superior procedural efficiency with significantly shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times and reduced contrast volume while maintaining comparable procedural success and complication rates to the conventional 6Fr method. These findings support the combo approach as a safe and effective option for transradial PCI.