title: Comparison of radial versus brachial approaches for diagnostic coronary angiography when the femoral approach is contraindicated.
abstract: One hundred patients with contraindications to the femoral approach were randomized to undergo diagnostic coronary angiography via percutaneous radial puncture or brachial artery cutdown. Procedure duration, fluoroscopy time, and total radiation dose were significantly less via the radial route, whereas procedural success, complication rates, and pain scores were comparable; we conclude that the radial technique should be the arm approach of choice for new trainees, although there will be occasions when radial access fails and a brachial approach is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hildick-Smith
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Ludman
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Harcombe
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Petch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*