title: An improved technique for gaining radial artery access in endovascular interventions.
abstract: We present a simple technique to avoid time loss and potential dangerous maneuvers for catheterization of the radial artery in endovascular interventions. If any difficulties are encountered when advancing the guide wire after the arterial puncture using standard transradial kits, we found it useful to routinely use a 60-mm polyethylene radial pressure line catheter like the Leader Cath (Vygon, Ecquen, France), which is more flexible and less traumatic than short catheters and are usually available in the standard hydrophilic transradial kit. With the 20-gauge needle within the arterial lumen, it is sufficient to advance the guide wire 3 or 4 cm, followed by the insertion of the radial pressure line catheter for administering a vasodilator cocktail. The contrast injection through the catheter is safer than through the needle, and visualization of the underling problems may avoid any time loss and complications. The standard sheath insertion is facilitated by the pressure line catheter that acts as a dilator. This technique, especially when performing coronary or peripheral interventions in which large introducers are needed, may avoid potentially dangerous vascular complications and improve the success rate.
authors.affiliation: Interventional Cardiology Unit, Division of Cardiology, Rovigo General Hospital, Italy. jackyheart@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rigatelli
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Magro
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maronati
authors.forename: Milan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tranquillo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panin
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bedendo
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020959:Polyethylene; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene