The Transradial Artery Approach for Diagnostic Coronary Angiography: Immediate Clinical and Procedural Outcome

Abstract

Background: The transradial approach has emerged as an attractive alternative to the femoral approach for coronary angiography. In the hands of experienced operators, transradial coronary angiography offers improved patient comfort and decreased access-site complications.

Objectives: To evaluate the immediate clinical & procedural outcome of transradial approach for coronary angiography.

Methodology: This is a descriptive cross sectional study carried out in a tertiary cardiac center .The transradial approach was attempted in patients with a good radial pulse and normal Allen test. This study enrolled 70 patients who underwent coronary angiography during the period from October 2012 to April 2013.

Result: The transradial approach was attempted in 70 Patients. The preferred side for transradial approach was the right side in all cases. The procedure success was 91.4%. Failure of puncture or canulation of the radial artery was the main cause of failure rate, followed by subclavian tortuosity and radial artery spasm. No minor or major vascular complications due to the procedure apart from one patient (1.4%) who got small superficial hematoma in the forearm. The average time for successful canulation was 4.8± 3.9 min (range 3.3 to 8.1 minutes), and that of the catheterization procedure was 33.12 ± 11.2 minutes (range 20-60 min.).

Conclusion: The transradial approach for coronary angiography is a safe and effective alternative to femoral approach.

Keyword: Transradial approach; coronary angiography.