Transradial cerebral angiography: technique and outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
The transradial approach is routinely used for coronary angiography, but only limited data exist regarding transradial cerebral angiography. The purpose of this report was to offer detailed procedural methods for transradial cerebral angiography to facilitate adoption of the technique.


METHODS
We reviewed 60 consecutive cases of transradial access used for neuroangiography and catalogued the indications for angiography, the sheath size, the catheter type, the length of the procedure, the number of cases in which radial artery access was unsuccessful, and the complications. We also noted procedural details regarding adjunctive medications, preprocedural patient assessment, and postprocedural care.


RESULTS
Transradial angiography was successfully applied in 57 of 60 cases (51 diagnostic, six interventional, three failed accesses). Sheaths were used in all cases and ranged in size from 4F to 6F. Mean procedural time for diagnostic cases was 40 minutes +/- 19 [SD]. Access-site complications included one forearm hematoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Transradial angiography is a useful tool for diagnostic and interventional neuroangiographic procedures. All relevant vessels can be accessed from the radial artery for diagnostic studies. Interventions in the right vertebral and carotid systems are facilitated by the transradial approach.
Nohara
Alison M
AM
Department of Radiology, University of Virginia Health Services, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Kallmes
David F
DF
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging