Multicenter Study Finds Cost Savings Associated With Coronary Interventions Via Transradial (Wrist) Access Exceed $800 Per Procedure Versus Transfemoral (Groin) Access

SOMERSET, N.J., July 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study finds U.S. hospitals could experience nearly $50 million in cost savings annually by performing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) through the radial artery of the wrist (Transradial), rather than the femoral artery in the groin (Transfemoral). Published online, ahead of print, in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, a peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Cardiology, the study was supported by an unrestricted research grant from Terumo Medical Corporation.

The study population consisted of a retrospective cohort of more than 7,000 patients undergoing PCI at five U.S. medical centers from January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011. The study was designed to evaluate the costs of using Transradial Access Intervention (TRI) and Transfemoral Access Intervention (TFI). Findings show that TRI was associated with a cost savings exceeding $800 per PCI procedure relative to TFI. Most of these cost savings were driven by reduced patient length of stay after the procedure and reductions in bleeding complications.

"Transradial access is clearly an efficacious medical treatment strategy. Many studies have demonstrated the clinical benefits of transradial access, such as reduced bleeding and substantially lower patient length of stay," said Steven P. Marso, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City at Mid America Heart Institute, Saint Luke's Health System, and principal investigator. "However, our study takes it one step further by demonstrating an overall hospital cost savings exceeding $800 per PCI. These savings increased to $1,621 in patients at higher risk for bleeding.  Annually, a hospital performing 1,000 PCIs could save an additional $80,000 to $160,000 for every 10 percent increase in their transradial procedures."     

"As a market leader, Terumo understands the significant economic benefit that transradial access offers to the healthcare system. Each year, more than 600,000 U.S. patients undergo a PCI and the number of TRI procedures is rising," said Chris Pearson, Vice President, Marketing, Terumo Interventional Systems. "We believe this technique to be the future of coronary interventions."

According to Pearson, Terumo will continue to invest in world-class educational activities that support TRI, as well as a product portfolio designed to deliver clinical and economic value and contribute to better patient outcomes.

"Terumo's commitment to providing optimal product solutions that help expand transradial use has never been stronger," said Pearson. "We are expanding our product portfolio by launching the GLIDESHEATH^® SLENDER, a hydrophilic coated introducer sheath specifically designed to deliver larger devices through a smaller radial access. The smaller insertion profile of the product makes it an optimal solution for smaller arteries. This will allow more patients to enter the transradial treatment pathway for PCI."

Terumo Interventional Systems
Terumo Interventional Systems (TIS), a division of Terumo Medical Corporation, is a market leader in minimally-invasive entry site management and lesion access technologies.  TIS offers a complete, solution-based product portfolio used in advanced coronary, peripheral endovascular and urological treatments with strategic initiatives in Transradial Access, Complex Coronary Intervention and Critical Limb Ischemia.  TIS combines innovative research and development with a deep market understanding to create a pipeline of industry leading devices that deliver clinical value, economic benefit, and enhanced patient outcomes. Terumo Medical Corporation is part of Tokyo-based Terumo Corporation, one of the world's leading medical device manufacturers with $4 billion in sales and operations in more than 160 nations.

SOURCE Terumo Interventional Systems