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Major Femoral Bleeding Complications After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Incidence, Predictors, and Impact on Long-Term Survival Among 17,901 Patients Treated at the Mayo Clinic From 1994 to 2005

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota.

	Abstract

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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate secular trends and factors associated with major femoral bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in routine clinical practice during the past decade and to assess the impact of these complications on outcomes including mortality.

Background: Significant changes in patient demographic data, adjunctive pharmacotherapy, and access site management have occurred during the coronary stent era. Trends in major vascular complications after PCI during this time have not been well characterized.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral PCI from 1994 to 2005 at the Mayo Clinic (n = 17,901) were studied. Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (1994 to 1995, n = 2,441); Group 2 (1996 to 1999, n = 6,207); and Group 3 (2000 to 2005, n = 9,253).

Results: The incidence of major femoral bleeding complications decreased (from 8.4% to 5.3% to 3.5%; p < 0.001). Reductions in sheath size, intensity and duration of anticoagulation with heparin, and procedure time were observed (p < 0.001), and multivariate analysis confirmed each as an independent predictor of complications (p < 0.001). Adverse outcomes of major femoral bleeding included prolonged hospital stay (mean 4.5 vs. 2.7 days; p < 0.0001) and increased requirement for blood transfusion (39% vs. 4.7%; p < 0.0001). Major femoral bleeding and blood transfusion were both associated with decreased long-term survival, driven by a significant increase in 30-day mortality (p < 0.001 for both).

Conclusions: We noted a marked decline in the incidence of major femoral bleeding after PCI over the past decade. Mortality associated with these bleeding complications and with blood transfusion remains a significant issue.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   ACT = activated clotting time   BMI = body mass index   CI = confidence interval   GP = glycoprotein   MI = myocardial infarction   OR = odds ratio   PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention

	Methods

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Major vascular complications among 17,901 patients undergoing transfemoral PCI from 1994 through June 2005 were identified with the Mayo Clinic PCI database. In this database, major vascular complications are recorded prospectively at the time of hospital dismissal. For the present study, patients were divided into 3 groups on the basis of the year they underwent PCI: Group 1 (1994 to 1995, n = 2,443), the early stent era with intensive anticoagulation and antiplatelet regimens during and after PCI including warfarin, dextran, prolonged intravenous heparin, aspirin, and dipyridamole; Group 2 (1996 to 1999, n = 6,212), a period of transition from intense anticoagulation regimens to dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin and ticlopidine and initial use of periprocedural glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors; Group 3 (2000 to 2005, n = 9,253), the contemporary era with routine use of aspirin and clopidogrel, frequent use of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors but reduced intensity and duration of anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin. Low molecular weight heparin and bivalirudin are not used in our PCI practice.

Upon completion of the PCI procedure, the femoral sheath is sutured in place and connected to a flush system. An obturator 1 French size smaller than the sheath is placed within the sheath to permit elevation of the head of the bed by 45° (increasing patient comfort) while waiting for the activated clotting time (ACT) to fall. When the ACT is below 180 s the sheath is removed, hemostasis is secured with manual compression for 10 to 15 min, and the patient remains lying flat in bed for 2 h. Between 2 to 4 h after sheath removal, patients can lie on their sides in bed. Between 4 and 6 h after sheath removal the patient is allowed to sit upright in bed and is then allowed to ambulate after 6 h. This protocol has not changed significantly during the study period.

Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study. Patients who denied research authorization to their medical records were excluded, as required by State of Minnesota statute (n = 335). Interventions with brachial or radial artery access were also excluded.

Definitions.   The primary end point of this study was major femoral bleeding complications after PCI, which included any of the following: femoral hematoma, femoral bleed, and retroperitoneal hematoma. Significant femoral hematoma was defined as >4 cm in diameter that required blood transfusion, surgery, or prolonged hospital stay. Femoral bleed was defined as external bleeding from the femoral artery requiring blood transfusion or surgery. Retroperitoneal hematoma was identified with abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan. Blood transfusion was defined as the administration of whole blood or packed red blood cells within 7 days of PCI. Severe renal impairment was defined as creatinine >3.0 mg/dl, on dialysis or previous renal transplant. Peripheral vascular disease was defined as a history of claudication or peripheral vascular surgery (including non-traumatic amputation) or angioplasty. Myocardial infarction (MI) before PCI was diagnosed if 2 or more of the following criteria were met: prolonged chest pain >20 min, cardiac biomarker elevation >2 times the upper limit of normal (creatine kinase, creatine kinase-myocardial band, or relative index), ST-segment T-wave changes, or new Q waves on serial electrocardiograms indicative of myocardial damage. Procedural success was defined as <50% residual stenosis in the treated segment and no in-hospital death, Q-wave MI, or emergency coronary artery bypass surgery.

Statistical analysis.   Continuous variables are summarized as mean ± SD unless otherwise noted. Discrete variables are presented as frequencies and group percentages. Missing values were not included in the denominator for percentage calculation. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to describe long-term survival. Group distributions were compared by 1-way analysis of variance or Pearson’s chi-square test or the log-rank test. All tests were 2-tailed with a 0.05 type 1 error rate, except for multiple testing situations. A Bonferroni adjustment to a 0.025 significance level was used when Groups 1 and 2 were compared with Group 3. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate partial associations between clinically relevant risk factors and the combined bleeding end point. Non-linear associations between continuous covariates and the end point were inspected. The continuous covariates with non-linear associations were then collapsed into groups for ease of interpretation. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for correlation between different procedures on the same patient assuming an exchangeable correlation structure.

Multiple Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the partial hazard ratios (HRs) between those who did and those who did not have a bleeding complication or a blood transfusion. Follow-up analyses were restricted to the first PCI/unique patient within the study period. The proportional hazards assumption was assessed by plotting a scatterplot smoother through scaled Schoenfeld residuals. Violation of the proportional hazards assumption was handled by allowing for separate effects at different follow-up intervals. Age was treated as a time-dependent covariate (in 3-month intervals) to allow for a nonlinear association. Other risk factors in the model were gender, urgency of PCI, pre-PCI shock, pre-PCI MI, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, congestive heart failure on presentation, left ventricular ejection fraction, diabetes, severe renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease, American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology type C lesion, number of diseased coronary vessels, prior coronary bypass surgery, and prior PCI.

	Results

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Patient characteristics.   The majority of patients treated were men, with no significant change from Group 1 to Group 3 (72%, 70%, and 70%; p > 0.05). Mean age rose from Group 1 to Group 3 (64.4 years, 65.9 years, and 66.9 years; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients treated for acute MI (occurring <24 h before PCI) also rose from Group 1 to Group 3 (13%, 14%, and 19%; p < 0.001). Changes in other patient characteristics are detailed in Table 1.

In-hospital outcomes.   Procedural success was obtained in 94.4% of all patients. In-hospital mortality was 1.9%. Use of intracoronary stents rose from 34% in Group 1 to 89% in Group 3, whereas use of atherectomy fell from 12% in Group 1 to 2% in Group 3 (p < 0.001 for both). The combined incidence of in-hospital death, Q-wave MI, emergency coronary artery bypass surgery, and stroke fell from 5.7% in Group 1 to 2.6% in Group 3 (p < 0.001).

Major femoral bleeding complications.   A significant reduction in the incidence of major femoral bleeding complications was observed over time (Fig. 1); complications occurred in 8.4% of patients in Group 1, 5.3% of patients in Group 2, and 3.5% of patients in Group 3 (p < 0.001). Significant reductions were observed for all individual bleeding complications (Table 2); femoral hematoma, femoral bleed, and retroperitoneal bleed all declined by at least 50% from the earliest (Group 1) to the most recent (Group 3) time period.

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window] [Download PPT slide]   Figure 1 Changing Incidence of Major Femoral Bleeding Complications From 1994 to 2005 The incidence of major femoral bleeding declined significantly from the earliest (8.4%) to the contemporary time period (3.5%).

Multiple regression analysis.   A multiple regression model was used to identify variables independently associated with the composite end point of any femoral bleeding complication (Fig. 2). Sheath size above 6-F was identified as a strong independent predictor of major femoral bleeding (p < 0.001) (odds ratio [OR] 1.38 for 7- to 8-F, OR 1.65 for 9-F, OR 2.48 for >9-F). The absolute risk of complications by sheath size was as follows: 5-F = 2.4%, 6-F = 3.2%, 7-F = 4.2%, and >7-F = 6.3% (p < 0.001 for trend). Other predictors of major femoral bleeding included age >65 years (in particular those >75 years [OR 2.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.98 to 3.52]), female patient (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.38 to 1.94), severe renal impairment (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.69 to 3.08), GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.84), peak activated clotting time (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.87), use of post-procedure heparin (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.93 to 2.73), and procedure duration (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32). Use of a vascular closure device was associated with increased risk for major femoral bleeding (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.29). Patients with mildly (25 to 30 kg/m²) and moderately (30 to 35 kg/m²) elevated BMI exhibited lower risk for complications when compared with patients with BMI in the normal range (OR 0.76 for BMI 25 to 30 kg/m², OR 0.75 for BMI 30 to 35 kg/m²). Diabetes (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.67 to 0.97) was associated with lower risk for major femoral bleeding complications (p = 0.023). Peripheral vascular disease was associated with a trend toward lower risk for these complications (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.01, p = 0.063).

View larger version (43K): [in this window] [in a new window] [Download PPT slide]   Figure 2 Multiple Logistic Regression Model Odds Ratio Estimates for Any Major Femoral Bleeding Complication Advanced age, female gender, and renal disease predicted increased risk. Procedural predictors included sheath size, use of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors, closure devices, and intensity/duration of anticoagulation with heparin. The partial odds ratio (OR) point estimates for the risk factors listed on the left are plotted as dots; lines indicate the 95% confidence intervals (CI). BMI = body mass index; BP = blood pressure; MI = myocardial infarction; PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention.

Patients experiencing major femoral bleeding had significantly higher mortality during long-term follow-up. This difference was driven by significant excess mortality in the first 30 days after PCI (HR 14.2; 95% CI 9.95 to 20.3, p < 0.01); the risk of death was not significantly different between patients with and without a major femoral bleeding complication after 30 days (HR 1.10; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.28, p = 0.20). Excess 30-day mortality remained significant after adjustment for baseline patient and procedural characteristics as described in Statistical Analysis (adjusted HR 9.96; 95% CI 6.94 to 14.3, p < 0.001). When analyzed individually each of the 3 major bleeding complications were independently associated with decreased long-term survival. This was driven by significantly increased 30-day mortality, as follows: major hematoma (adjusted HR 12.8; 95% CI 6.60 to 24.8, p < 0.001), major femoral bleeding (adjusted HR 10.7; 95% CI 7.34 to 15.7, p < 0.001), and retroperitoneal hemorrhage (adjusted HR 43.8; 95% CI 16.4 to 75.1, p < 0.001). For all 3, the effect of the complication on mortality after 30 days was non-significant. Kaplan-Meier curves in Figure 3 demonstrate worse long-term survival for patients with: (panel A) any bleeding complication versus no bleeding complication, (panel B) retroperitoneal bleeding versus no retroperitoneal bleeding, (panel C) major femoral bleeding versus no major femoral bleeding, and (panel D) major hematoma versus no major hematoma. Over time, 30-day mortality associated with major femoral bleeding seemed to decline (Group 1 HR 16.1, 95% CI 8.8 to 29.5; Group 2 HR 9.8, 95% CI 5.4 to 17.9; Group 3 HR 6.9, 95% CI 3.5 to 13.4), although this trend did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.065).

View larger version (19K): [in this window] [in a new window] [Download PPT slide]   Figure 3 Kaplan-Meier Curves Depicting Long-Term Survival of Patients With or Without Major Bleeding Complications Decreased survival was noted among patients with (A) any major bleeding complication, (B) retroperitoneal bleeding, (C) major external femoral bleeding, or (D) major hematoma. Patient numbers at risk are presented below the figure.

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window] [Download PPT slide]   Figure 4 Kaplan-Meier Curves Depicting Long-Term Survival of Patients With or Without Blood Transfusion Decreased long-term survival was noted among patients receiving blood transfusion, with greatest risk observed among patients receiving blood transfusion of 3 U. Patient numbers at risk are presented below the figure.

	Discussion

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Changes in procedural technique and risk of complications.   The findings of the multivariate analysis suggest that risk of major femoral bleeding complications might be minimized by judicious use of smaller sheaths, careful titration of intraprocedural anticoagulation, and avoidance of post-procedure heparin infusions. Improved efficiency leading to shorter procedures might also reduce complications by minimizing sheath dwell time (10,11). It is likely that the passing out of favor of techniques such as directional atherectomy (that required larger sheath sizes and prolonged procedure times) have contributed to the decline in the incidence of major vascular complications over the past decade. Incorporation of GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors into routine practice has been achieved, however, while bleeding complications have continued to decrease. The level of concomitant anticoagulation is an important determinant of the absolute bleeding risk associated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor use (12–14), and it is likely that the effect of these agents on complication rates in this study was attenuated by a downward trend in the intensity of anticoagulation.

Vascular closure devices are used infrequently in our practice (only 5% in Groups 2 and 3), and so the association between use of these devices and increased risk for major femoral bleeding (OR 1.58, p = 0.016) should be interpreted with caution. Nonetheless, previous studies have suggested that such devices might increase risk of hematoma, pseudo-aneurysm formation, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and rare but catastrophic infectious and ischemic complications (15–20). Our findings re-emphasize the need for large-scale randomized studies of these devices to definitively address these safety concerns.

Outcome of major femoral bleeding complications.   A number of mechanisms might underlie the association between major femoral bleeding, blood transfusion, and increased mortality. Severe hemorrhage could directly increase risk of death by causing hemodynamic compromise, particularly in patients with poor cardiac reserve or other severe comorbidities. The need to stop antithrombotic therapies within hours or days of PCI because of major bleeding could also play an indirect role, by increasing risk of ischemic coronary complications. Notably, accumulating data suggest a possible direct link between blood transfusion and adverse outcomes for a variety of critical illnesses and major surgical procedures (21,22). Pro-inflammatory and -thrombotic effects of red blood cell transfusion have been demonstrated (23), and use of a restrictive transfusion policy has been associated with improved outcomes for patients with critical illness (24). Our data support the latter finding, because transfusions of 3 U were associated with worse outcomes when compared with transfusions of 1 to 2 U. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that a causal relationship between post-PCI blood transfusion and subsequent excess mortality will be impossible to establish outside of a randomized clinical trial comparing a traditional with a more restrictive transfusion policy. Moreover, it is possible that, despite the findings of our multivariate analysis, major femoral bleeding and blood transfusion might simply be surrogates for patients with more complex coronary disease and more extensive comorbidities and that the associations with mortality might be due to unmeasured variables.

Study limitations.   Although the data were prospectively gathered, this was a retrospective study and is subject to the limitations of this design. Outcomes are reported from a single high-volume center using transfemoral access, and our use of vascular closure devices is low by comparison with some other centers. Therefore, our results might not be applicable to centers with lower volume or centers where use of vascular closure devices or radial access is more frequent. Finally, our definition of major femoral bleeding complications did not incorporate measurement of pre- and post-procedure hemoglobin (used in the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction bleeding classification system). Therefore, although stringent criteria for defining major femoral bleeding—including the need for blood transfusion, vascular surgery, and/or prolonged hospital stay—were used in this study, caution should be exercised before making direct comparisons between absolute bleeding risk observed in this study and rates reported elsewhere.

	Conclusions

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In this single-center study, we have noted a significant fall in the incidence of major femoral bleeding complications over the past decade. These improvements have been achieved without the use of bivalirudin and with relatively infrequent use of vascular closure devices. The association of major femoral bleeding and blood transfusion with increased long-term mortality remains a strong impetus for further improvements in access strategies for patients undergoing PCI.

	Footnotes

 
Dr. John W. Hirshfeld, Jr., served as Guest Editor for this paper.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Charanjit S. Rihal, Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905. (Email: rihal.charanjit{at}mayo.edu).

Manuscript received August 10, 2007; revised manuscript received November 26, 2007, accepted December 21, 2007.

	REFERENCES

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This Article Abstract Figures Only Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Doyle, B. J. Articles by Rihal, C. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Doyle, B. J. Articles by Rihal, C. S.