Transradial access for carotid artery stenting: a single-center experience.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to report our initial experience using the radial artery as access for carotid artery stenting (CAS) and review the existing literature.


METHODS
From January to June 2008, nine high-risk consecutive patients were treated with carotid stents by using the radial artery as an access point. Major complications (perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack [TIAs] and death) and minor complications (radial artery occlusion or hematomas) were evaluated during this procedure.


RESULTS
Seven of these patients had a right (77.8%) and two had a left (22.2%) sided carotid artery stenosis. Patients were symptomatic (TIAs or strokes or both) and had a >60% stenosis of the internal carotid artery. The technical success rate was 100% and all patients mobilized two hours after the procedure and were discharged home on the first postoperative day. No major or minor complications were reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with vessel pathology or unfavorable anatomy in the iliofemoral arteries or/and the aorta, can be candidates for CAS through the radial artery. Refinement of the technique and improvement in endovascular devices may lead to the replacement of the conventional femoral access by the transradial route in the near future.
Bakoyiannis
C
C
First Department of Surgery, Vascular Department, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece. bakogian@hotmail.com
Economopoulos
K P
KP
Georgopoulos
S
S
Psathas
E
E
Kazefa
M
M
Tsigris
C
C
Bastounis
E
E
Papalambros
E
E
D000368:Aged; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000209:etiology; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D017534:Radial Artery; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015607:Stents; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome