title: Transradial approach for vertebral artery stenting: technical case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report the technique of transradial vertebral artery stenting for two patients in whom severe supra-aortic ectasia prevented ready access to the right vertebral artery origin.
  
  
  METHODS
  An Allen test was performed to verify ulnar artery collateral flow in the hand. After the administration of local anesthesia, a 6-French sheath was introduced into the radial artery. To allay induced spasm, a mixture of heparin (5000 IU/ml), verapamil (2.5 mg), nitroglycerine (400 microg/ml, 0.25 ml), and lidocaine (2%, 1.0 ml) was infused through the introducer sheath. A microguidewire was positioned across the vertebral artery lesion, followed by placement of a balloon-expandable stent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Postdeployment angiography revealed improved vertebrobasilar system flow. There were no complications related to the radial artery. The patients tolerated the procedure without difficulty and were immediately ambulatory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This novel approach should be considered for endovascular procedures for which access to the vertebral artery origin via the femoral approach is limited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery and Toshiba Stroke Research Center, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, USA. rfessler@neurosurgery.wayne.edu
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Fessler
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wakhloo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanzino
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Guterman
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*