title: Transradial approach (left vs right) and procedural times during percutaneous coronary procedures: TALENT study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  most of the studies assessing transradial approach for coronary angiography (CA) have been performed through right radial approach (RRA). Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of left radial approach (LRA) compared with RRA for coronary procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  from January 2009 to December 2009, in 2 hospitals, 1,540 patients were randomized to RRA (770 patients) or LRA (770 patients) for percutaneous coronary procedures. The primary end point was fluoroscopy time for CA and for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) evaluated independently. Prespecified subgroup analyses according to patient age and operator experience were planned.
  
  
  RESULTS
  in 1,467 patients (732 RRA and 735 LRA), a CA (diagnostic group) was performed, and in 688 (344 each for RRA and LRA), a PCI. In the diagnostic group, LRA was associated with significantly lower fluoroscopy time (149 seconds, interquartile range [IQR] 95-270 seconds) and dose area product fluoroscopy (10.7 Gy cm(2), IQR 6-20.5 Gy cm(2)) compared with the RRA (168 seconds, IQR 110-277 seconds, P = .0025 and 12.1 Gy cm(2), IQR 7-23.8 Gy cm(2), P = .004, respectively). In the PCI group, there were no significant differences in fluoroscopy time (614 seconds, IQR 367-1,087 seconds for LRA and 695 seconds, IQR 415-1,235 seconds, P = .087 for RRA) and dose area product fluoroscopy (53.7 Gy cm(2), IQR 29-101 Gy cm(2) for LRA and 63.1 Gy cm(2), IQR 31-119 Gy cm(2), P = .17 for RRA). According to subgroup analyses, the differences between LRA and RRA were confined to older patients (≥ 70 years old) and to operators in training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  left radial approach for coronary diagnostic procedures is associated with lower fluoroscopy time and radiation dose adsorbed by patients compared with the RRA, particularly in older patients and for operators in training.
authors.affiliation: UO Cardiologia, Policlinico Casilino-ASL RM B, Rome, Italy. alessandra.sciahbasi@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sciahbasi
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romagnoli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burzotta
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trani
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sarandrea
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Summaria
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pendenza
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tommasino
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patrizi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazzari
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mongiardo
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lioy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000379:methods*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017534:Radial Artery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome