title: Comparison of safety of radial and femoral approaches for coronary catheterization in interventional cardiology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The femoral approach has been the preferably used access in interventional cardiology as well for coronary diagnostics as for percutaneous coronary intervention, being perceived as easy and facilitating quick access with relatively low risk. Due to the results of the latest studies, however, the radial approach has become increasingly popular. The aim of this study was a safety analysis of cardiological interventional procedures (i.e., coronarography and PCI) according to the vessel approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 204 coronary interventions done in our Department of Interventional Cardiology were retrospectively analyzed. All the procedures were classified according to femoral or radial access. The incidence of local complications (e.g., major bleedings and hematomas) was assessed as well as the volume of contrast agent administered during the procedure and the radiation dose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It has been shown that radial approach, which is obviously more comfortable for patients, reduces the risk of local complications (0 vs. 2.97% and 0 vs. 3.96%) and does not lead to increased radiation exposure (p=0.88). However, there could be a larger volume of contrast agent administered (p=0.029), which in some cases could increase the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The radial approach should be recommended as a first choice because it is safer than the classical femoral approach, but one must be cautious in choosing radial approach patients with renal insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Invasive Cardiology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Samul
authors.affiliation: Department of Invasive Cardiology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Turowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Przemysław Jerzy
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kwasiborski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Invasive Cardiology, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cwetsch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000293:injuries; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media