Search Results (9)

Background and Objectives: Radial artery spasm (RAS) is a frequent complication during invasive angiography using the transradial approach, leading to patient discomfort and procedural challenges. While intra-arterial nitroglycerine (NTG) effectively reduces RAS after sheath insertion, preprocedural prevention strategies are limited. This study evaluates the efficacy of topical NTG in improving radial artery puncture success and reducing RAS incidence. Materials and Methods: In a randomized, double-blind single-center study 100 patients undergoing angiography were pretreated with either topical NTG or placebo. Outcomes assessed included RAS incidence, radial artery puncture success, number of attempts, procedural duration, patient discomfort, and complications. RAS was evaluated angiographically and clinically, with additional subgroup analyses for diabetic and smoking patients. Results: Topical NTG significantly reduced RAS incidence (53.2% vs. 73.6%; p = 0.0349) and increased radial puncture success on the first attempt (89.4% vs. 77.4%; p = 0.0488). Diabetic patients particularly benefited from NTG application, with lower RAS rates (36.4% vs. 76.2%; p = 0.0296). No significant differences were observed in procedural duration, patient discomfort, or complication rates between groups. The placebo group demonstrated a higher incidence of diffuse RAS (p = 0.0109). Conclusions: Preprocedural topical NTG application is a safe, non-invasive intervention that improves radial artery access success and reduces RAS, especially in high-risk subgroups such as diabetics. These findings support its potential as a procedural optimization tool in cardiovascular interventions, particularly in patients with heart failure, who often require repeated and reliable vascular access. Full article

Background: Diagnostic angiography of coronary arteries is one of the most common procedures in invasive cardiology and is mainly performed via the radial artery. Rapid improvements in the quality of the equipment and operator’s experience have changed the landscape of this procedure. Methods: In this study, 284 patients were analyzed to determine whether heparin administration should be a necessity for all patients to prevent radial artery occlusion (RAO). Moreover, the possible influence of 51 other factors on RAO was analyzed. Results: This study revealed that heparin administration does not have a significant impact on RAO incidence (p = 0.131). However, it was found that a longer fluoroscopy time (p < 0.001) and smaller (5F) vascular sheath (p = 0.001) might serve as protective factors against RAO. On the other hand, a greater number of catheters (p < 0.001), greater compression time (p = 0.001), wider (6F) vascular sheath (p = 0.002), spasm occurrence (p = 0.001), spasmolytic administration (p < 0.001) and atherosclerotic changes in the radial artery (p = 0.005) were risk factors for RAO. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the need for a more personalized approach to the patient when analyzing the individual risk of RAO. In our opinion, it is possible to omit heparin in cases of patients with an initial low risk of RAO or possible adverse drug reactions during diagnostic angiography. Full article

Radial artery spasm (RAS) is a common complication associated with transradial access (TRA) for coronary interventions, particularly affecting elderly patients in whom radial access is preferred due to its benefits in reducing bleeding complications, improving clinical outcomes, and lowering long-term costs. This review examines the incidence, prevention, and treatment of RAS. Methods included an online search of PubMed and other databases in early 2024, analyzing meta-analyses, reviews, studies, and case reports. RAS is characterized by a sudden narrowing of the radial artery due to psychological and mechanical factors with incidence reports varying up to 51.3%. Key risk factors include patient characteristics like female sex, age, and small body size as well as procedural factors such as emergency procedures and the use of multiple catheters. Preventive measures include using distal radial access, hydrophilic sheaths, and appropriate catheter sizes. Treatments involve the intraarterial administration of nitroglycerine and verapamil as well as mechanical methods like balloon-assisted tracking. This review underscores the need for standardizing RAS definitions and emphasizes the importance of operator experience and patient management in reducing RAS incidence and improving procedural success. Full article

Background/Objectives: Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is the most common complication of transradial coronary catheterization. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence of RAO and identify the risk factors that predispose patients to it. Methods: We conducted an investigator-initiated, prospective, multicenter, open-label study involving 1357 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization via the transradial route for angiography and/or a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify potential predictors of RAO occurrence. Additionally, a subgroup analysis only for patients undergoing PCIs was performed. Results: The incidence of RAO was 9.5% overall, 10.6% in the angiography-only group and 6.2% in the PCI group. Independent predictors of RAO were as follows: (i) the female gender (aOR = 1.72 (1.05–2.83)), (ii) access site cross-over (aOR = 4.33 (1.02–18.39)), (iii) increased total time of the sheath in the artery (aOR = 1.01 (1.00–1.02)), (iv) radial artery spasms (aOR = 2.47 (1.40–4.36)), (v) the presence of a hematoma (aOR = 2.28 (1.28–4.06)), (vi) post-catheterization dabigatran use (aOR = 5.15 (1.29–20.55)), (vii) manual hemostasis (aOR = 1.94 (1.01–3.72)) and (viii) numbness at radial artery ultrasound (aOR = 8.25 (1.70–40)). Contrariwise, two variables were independently associated with increased odds for radial artery patency (RAP): (i) PCI performance (aOR = 0.19 (0.06–0.63)), and (ii) a higher dosage of intravenous heparin per patient weight (aOR = 0.98 (0.96–0.99)), particularly, a dosage of >50 IU/kg (aOR = 0.56 (0.31–1.00)). In the PCI subgroup, independent predictors of RAO were as follows: (i) radial artery spasms (aOR = 4.48 (1.42–14.16)), (ii) the use of intra-arterial nitroglycerin as a vasodilator (aOR = 7.40 (1.67–32.79)) and (iii) the presence of symptoms at echo (aOR = 3.80 (1.46–9.87)), either pain (aOR = 2.93 (1.05–8.15)) or numbness (aOR = 4.66 (1.17–18.57)). On the other hand, the use of intra-arterial verapamil as a vasodilator (aOR = 0.17 (0.04–0.76)) was independently associated with a greater frequency of RAP. Conclusions: The incidence of RAO in an unselected, all-comers European population after transradial coronary catheterization for angiography and/or PCIs is similar to that reported in the international literature. Several RAO prognostic factors have been confirmed, and new ones are described. The female gender, radial artery trauma and manual hemostasis are the strongest predictors of RAO. Our results could help in the future identification of patients at higher risk of RAO, for whom less invasive diagnostic procedures maybe preferred, if possible. Full article

The distal transradial approach (dTRA) through the anatomical snuffbox is hypothesized to offer greater benefits than the conventional transradial access (cTRA) for patients undergoing coronary procedures. Our goal was to assess the safety and efficacy of dTRA. Out of 465 consecutive Caucasian patients, 400 were randomized (1:1) to dTRA or cTRA in a prospective single-center trial. Clinical and ultrasound follow-ups were obtained at 24 h and 60 days post-procedure. The primary combined endpoint consisted of access crossover, access-related complications, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included clinical success endpoints (puncture success, crossover, and access time), access-site complications endpoints, and MACE at 60 days. The primary endpoint was significantly higher in the dTRA [odds ratio (OR): 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–3.86, p = 0.001]. Clinical success endpoints, namely crossover (10% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.05) and access-time [median: 140s (85–322) vs. 80s (58–127), p < 0.001], did not favor the dTRA, despite a similar success rate in radial artery puncture between the dTRA and cTRA (99.5% vs. 99%). Radial artery spasm (19% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.0001), physical discomfort during access, and transient thumb numbness after the procedure occurred more frequently with the dTRA. However, early (2.5% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.41) and mid-term (2.5% vs. 3%, p = 0.98) forearm radial artery occlusion rates were comparable between the dTRA and cTRA. Randomization to the dTRA, lower forearm radial pulse volume, higher body mass index, and lower body surface area independently predicted the primary endpoint in multivariate analysis. In the interaction effect analysis, only diabetes increased the incidence of the primary endpoint with the dTRA (OR: 18.67, 95% CI: 3.96–88.07). The dTRA was a less favorable strategy than cTRA during routine coronary procedures due to a higher incidence of arterial spasm and the necessity for access crossover. The majority of local complications following the dTRA were clinically minor complications. Individuals with diabetes were particularly susceptible to complications associated with the dTRA. Full article

Background: The distal radial artery has emerged as an alternative vascular-access site to conventional transfemoral and transradial approaches. The main advantage over the conventional transradial route is the reduced risk of radial artery occlusion, especially in those patients who, for various clinical reasons, have to undergo repeated endovascular procedures. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of distal radial access for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of the liver. Methods: This investigation is a single-center retrospective analysis of 42 consecutive patients who had undergone, from January 2018 to December 2022, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of the liver with distal radial access for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Outcome data were compared with a retrospectively constituted control group of 40 patients undergoing drug-eluting beads-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with femoral access. Results: Technical success was achieved in all cases, with a 2.4% conversion rate for distal radial access. A superselective chemoembolization was performed in 35 (83.3%) cases of distal radial access. No episode of radial artery spasm or radial artery occlusion occurred. No significant differences in efficacy and safety were observed between the distal radial access group and the femoral access group. Conclusions: Distal radial access is effective, safe, and comparable to femoral access in patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of the liver. Full article

Recent studies have indicated that distal radial access (DRA) is feasible in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The present study aimed to compare DRA, proximal radial access (PRA), and femoral access (FA) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing PCI. Data were analyzed for 109 patients with STEMI treated via primary PCI from March 2020 to May 2021. The success rate of DRA was 83.3% (35/42), including seven cases of failed puncture (puncture failure = 5, severe radial artery spasm = 2). Primary PCI via the DRA was successful in all 35 patients. After classifying the patients requiring crossover into a separate group, the percentage of the puncture time in the door-to-wiring time was 2.7% [2.2–4.3], 3.3% [2.3–4.0], 2.6% [1.2–4.9], and 27.0% [13.5–29.3] in the DRA (n = 35), PRA (n = 24), FA (n = 26), and crossover (n = 9) groups, respectively (p < 0.01). Only two local hematomas (≤5 cm) occurred in the DRA group, while one patient in the FA group required surgical treatment and a transfusion for an access-site vascular injury. When performed by an experienced operator, DRA may represent a feasible alternative to other access routes in select patients with STEMI undergoing PCI, such as those with a high risk of bleeding. Full article

With respect to the transfemoral approach, transradial procedures enable a drastic reduction of bleeding events and are associated with a reduction of mortality. Radial artery spasm (RAS) is one of the most common complications and may lead to patient discomfort and procedural failure. Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal sedation protocol to avoid RAS. The aim of this study was to investigate the respective impact of opioids analgesia and inhalation sedation with a 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen premix (Kalinox) on pain and occurrence of RAS during transradial coronary procedures. Consecutive patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography were prospectively enrolled in one, single center observational study (Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France). Patients received opioids analgesia or inhalation sedation with Kalinox. The primary endpoints of the study were the incidence of a pain scale ≥5/10 and the occurrence of RAS. The secondary endpoints were the incidence of side effects. A total of 325 patients were enrolled (185 in the opioids analgesia group, 140 in the Kalinox group). RAS and pain scale ≥5 rates were not significantly different in the opioids analgesia and Kalinox groups (respectively 13.5% vs. 10.0% and 16.2% vs. 11.4%). Headache was more frequently observed in the Kalinox group (6.4% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.002). By multivariate analysis, female gender, BMI <25 kg/m², puncture difficulty, the use of plastic needle and 6F sheath were identified as independent predictors of RAS. Procedural inhalation sedation by Kalinox is as safe as opioids analgesia during transradial coronary angiography. Full article

The transradial approach increases patient comfort and reduces vascular complications and major bleeding. Although modern equipment has been improved and catheter sizes reduced, there remain specific technical challenges in the practice of the transradial approach. Indeed, the transradial approach requires a longer learning curve than transfemoral access, but the transradial challenges are usually overcome with experience. Nowadays, in view of its benefits, there is no longer any justification for ignoring the transradial approach, the patient’s preferred access route for percutaneous coronary interventions. In this paper we highlight five rules which will transform you into a radialist and provide valuable tips and tricks. Full article