title: Radial artery access for above the knee angioplasty: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lower limb angioplasty is usually performed by transfemoral access despite the risk of local complications. Transradial access (TRA) has gained acceptance for coronary interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of TRA for above the knee (ATK) angioplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five consecutive patients (eight females; mean age 72, range 55-85 years; seven symptomatic for critical limb ischaemia, 18 for claudication) underwent ATK angioplasty by left (19) or right (6) TRA. A total of 32 lesions were addressed; 16 stents were positioned in 12 patients with an overall success rate of 81%, and a success rate of 38% on occlusions and of 96% on stenoses. The overall success rate on the 16 supra-inguinal lesions was 81%, (success rate 60% on occlusions and 91% on stenoses). The overall success rate on the 16 infra-inguinal lesions was 81%, (success rate 0% on occlusions and 100% on stenoses). Any haemorrhagic complications or local complications needing surgery were observed in the cohort of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TRA can represent a feasible and safe alternative for ATK angioplasty in case of difficult femoral access.
authors.affiliation: UO Cardiologia, Ospedale Campo di Marte, Lucca, Italy. lorenzoni.roberto@fastwebnet.it
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lorenzoni
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzoni
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzari
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boni
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bovenzi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000628:therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000628:therapy; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017534:Radial Artery