title: Overview of the transradial approach in percutaneous coronary intervention.
abstract: Thirteen years have passed since the first percutaneous coronary intervention was performed at Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis in Amsterdam using the transradial approach (TRA). Since then TRA has spread through the interventional community and many centres have now adopted TRA as the arterial access of choice. This review is focused on the hot issues and the latest developments in this field. The following subjects will be addressed and discussed: drawbacks and learning curve, procedural technique, indications (with particular attention to acute coronary patients), complications, contraindications, nurse workload, patient management, and economics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Cardiology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. G.Amoroso@olvg.nl
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: Gert-Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Laarman
authors.forename: Ferdinand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiemeneij
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D002983:Clinical Competence; D000075202:Contraindications; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000628:therapy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018579:Patient Selection; D017534:Radial Artery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016526:Workload