Bleeding events are seen after more than 4% of all percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures, according to a new meta-analysis published in Indian Heart Journal.[1]
“PCI is one of the most widely used methods in the treatment of coronary artery disease,” wrote first author Reza Heidary Moghadam, a cardiologist with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in Iran, and colleagues. “Studies indicate that complications such as bleeding, hematoma, and embolism may occur due to the trauma inflicted on the vessels during this procedure.”
Bleeding after PCI, the authors added, has been associated with a heightened risk of death, myocardial infarction and stroke in addition to longer hospitals stays and higher overall costs. The group hoped its meta-analysis would help paint a more complete picture of just how common this complication is from a global perspective.
Moghadam et al. started off their search with more than 1,800 studies before landing on eight for their final evaluation. Four of the included studies were performed in the United States, two were performed in Germany and one each were performed in Japan and Israel. Nearly 400,000 patients were included in the final sample size. To avoid errors or bias, two researchers independently performed all stages of the analysis. If those two researchers disagreed about a certain detail, a third party was brought in to moderate and help them reach a conclusion.
Overall, the rate of bleeding events after PCI among this large group of patients was 4.4%. This was viewed as a “significant” finding by the study’s authors. The group also noted that many research teams have reached different conclusions over the years about what, exactly, causes these events. Most studies have concluded that bleeding after PCI is more common among women, for instance, while others have found potential links with older patients or those who present with high systolic blood pressure.
“These results can serve as a crucial criterion for developing appropriate prevention and treatment strategies,” the group wrote. “Health policymakers can also utilize the results of this meta-analysis to prioritize research on the complication of bleeding after PCI and its outcomes and implement effective measures to prevent and manage this complication.”
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Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.