Risk of acute brain injury related to cerebral microembolism during cardiac catheterization performed by right upper limb arterial access.
OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this study was to assess the incidence of new cerebral infarcts related to cardiac catheterization in patients explored through the right transradial approach.


METHODS
This prospective study involved 41 consecutive patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. To assess the incidence of cerebral infarction, all patients underwent cerebral diffusion-weighted MRI before and after cardiac catheterization through the right transradial approach.


RESULTS
We detected only two patients (4.9%) with new, small, isolated acute cerebral diffusion abnormalities postcatheterization. All patients remained asymptomatic.


CONCLUSIONS
New cerebral lesions on diffusion-weighted MRI are infrequent in patients explored through the right transradial approach. Randomized studies are warranted to confirm for potential advantages of transradial approach versus the femoral approach in cardiac catheterization.
Hamon
Michèle
M
Gomes
Sophie
S
Clergeau
Marie-Rose
MR
Fradin
Sabine
S
Morello
Rémy
R
Hamon
Martial
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins