title: Brachial loop: transradial technique to overcome this rare anatomic variation.
abstract: A brachial loop is a rare anatomic variation and can result in the failure of transradial coronary procedures. We report a brachial loop encountered in a patient undergoing a coronary angiogram. During this angiogram, a 0.035'' J-tipped Teflon-coated guidewire met with resistance in the brachial artery because of this rare vascular loop. In this case report, we discuss the technique we used to manage this rare condition. Interventional cardiologists should keep in mind that resistance of the guidewire can result in major vessel complications during the transradial approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. huangjoewang@mail.cmu.edu.tw
authors.forename: Huang-Joe
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Kung-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dong-Jim
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017534:Radial Artery