Routine transradial coronary angiography in unselected patients.
OBJECTIVE
To measure and compare the results of changing from routine transfemoral to routine transradial coronary angiography performed by a single operator.


METHODS
A learning period of 3 months for the transradial procedure with 43 selected patients was followed by a 12-month routine period with 243 unselected patients. The success and complication rates, contrast volumes, catheter and X-ray times were measured and compared to results of a preceding period where the transfemoral approach was used. Follow-up was performed in the transradial groups 1.5-25 months after the procedure.


RESULTS
Of the non-selected patients, 9% were deemed unsuitable for the radial procedure. In the remaining 91% in which the transradial route was attempted, success was achieved in 91%. The complication rate was 2.7%. Increased operator experience reduces catheter and fluoroscopy times. At follow-up, 4.7% of the radial arteries were occluded, but the patients were without clinical sequelae. The occlusion rate was significantly higher with an unsuccessful procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Transradial coronary angiography can be performed safely and with acceptable image quality in non-selected patients after a learning period of 43 cases. Total procedure time is shorter than with the transfemoral approach. There were no bleeding complications and no procedure-related complications that required treatment.
Bagger
Henning
H
Marselisborg Alle 35, DK-8000, Arhus C., Denmark. ihb@dadlnet.dk
Kristensen
Jens Hedegaard
JH
Christensen
Per Dahl
PD
Klausen
Ib Christian
IC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery; D016896:Treatment Outcome