Actual outpatient PTCA: Results of the OUTCLAS pilot study

This study tested the safety and feasibility of coronary angioplasty on an outpatient basis. The purpose of this approach includes cost-effectiveness and patient comfort. Included were 159 patients treated with balloon angiop lasty or intracoronary stent placement, all performed via the radial artery with 6 French guiding catheters. Patients were selected for same-day disch arge based on the absence of any adverse predictor for subacute occlusion o r unfavorable clinical outcome during the first 24 hr after successful PTCA . One hundred and six (66%) patients were discharged 4-6 hr after PICA. Ste nts were used in 40% of patients. There were no cardiac or vascular complic ations. We conclude that outpatient PICA, performed via the radial artery, is both safe and feasible in a large part of a routine PICA population. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.