title: Direct stent implantation using a 5F guiding catheter and transradial approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess stent implantation without previous dilation with a conventional balloon catheter to treat coronary artery obstructions, by using low profile guiding catheters and the transradial approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The transradial approach is attractive due to the possibility of avoiding the trauma caused by the balloon, its shorter time of performance, reduced exposure to radiation, and the use of lower quantities of contrast medium than those usually required in this type of procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial experience of direct stent implantation with low profile guiding catheters and the transradial approach was analyzed in 45 patients, whose mean age was 65 years. All procedures were successful, with no major complications in the in-hospital phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained with the population studied proved that the transradial approach is safe, effective, and has very few risks of complications.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Moléstias Cardiovasculares/IMC, Sociedade Portuguesa de Beneficência, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil. wmccoelho@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Wilson Miguel Cecim
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: José Luiz Balthazar
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: José Dalmo de
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Araujo Filho
authors.forename: Sumaira Faitarone
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Frederico
authors.forename: Ivone Eduarda Campos
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Cabbaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017534:Radial Artery; D015607:Stents