title: The long-term effect of transradial coronary catheterisation on upper limb function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anatomic and physiologic changes that are induced by radial access may lead to a decrease of upper limb function at long-term follow-up; however, this has never been studied. We aimed to study the long-term effect of transradial catheterisation on upper limb function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between January 2013 and April 2014, upper limb function was assessed in a total of 348 patients with complete one-year follow-up after coronary catheterisation. Upper limb function was assessed with the self-reported shortened version of the DASH questionnaire. The presence and severity of upper extremity cold intolerance was assessed with the self-reported CISS questionnaire. Both questionnaires were completed before the catheterisation and at one-year follow-up. Higher scores represent worse upper limb functionality or symptoms. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the change of upper limb function and symptoms over time. Extremity complaints were reported at one-month and one-year follow-up. At one-year follow-up, upper limb function did not change over time when catheterisation was performed through the radial artery (p-value 0.20). Upper extremity was also not affected by cold intolerance at one-year follow-up (p-value 0.09). Extremity complaints were reported equally in both access groups and diminished significantly over time (p-value <0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upper limb function was not affected at long-term follow-up after transradial procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maarten A H
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Dirk J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: van der Heijden
authors.forename: Jailen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hermie
authors.forename: Mattie J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lenzen
authors.forename: Ruud W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Selles
authors.forename: Marco J P F
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ritt
authors.forename: Ferdinand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiemeneij
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
authors.forename: Nicolas M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Van Mieghem
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Royen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*