Radial versus femoral vascular access in ST-elevation myocardial infarction: Are the results of femoral operators unfairly represented in observational research?

Recent randomized controlled trials comparing femoral and radial access in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) have shown conflicting results regarding the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding. Using data from the HEAT-PPCI trial, we compared the primary efficacy (all-cause mortality, stroke, new myocardial infarction or unplanned repeat revascularization) and safety (major bleeding BARC 3–5)...