Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed using the NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System) 2007 (Kaysville, Utah, USA). Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation and median with interquartile ranges as appropriate and categorical variables as frequency and percentage. To test the normality of distribution, the Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used. Differences between the two groups were evaluated using Student’s t-test for normally distributed variables and Mann-Whitney U test for variables without normal distribution. The Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables as appropriate. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used in the evaluation of hemoglobin measurements before and after the procedure. Survival analysis with a log-rank test was conducted for the combined end-point of death between the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier curves were created. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent effects of the baseline variables on procedure failure and mortality. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.