Feasibility analysis of coronary angiography by transradial approach with 4F catheter

Objective:To assess the feasibility of coronary angiography by transradial approach with 4F catheter.Methods:The procedural details,picture quality,local complication were recorded for coronary by transradial approach with 4F catheter in 138 patients.Results:The success rate of angiography was 97.7%;fluoroscopy time was(5.05±3.23)minutes,total procedural time was(20.51±3.37)minutes;the incidence of dislodgement,excessive engagement of either coronary artery was 7.8%,9.4%,repectively;the angiographic scores for left anterior descending,circumflex and right coronary arteries were(2.87±0.40),(2.88±0.39),(2.90±0.35),respectively.The spasm complication occurred 4.3% in radial artery and 1.5% in coronary artery.There were no occlusion of radial artery during follow up.Conclusion:4F catheter could be the first chosen in some selecting patients for its nice maneuverability,fine images and fewer vascular complications.

Effectiveness and feasibility of transradial approaches for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Objective： To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the transradial approach for primary percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute myocardial infarction（AMI）. Methods： 195 patients with acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into two groups according to the different PCI operation pathways. 105 cases were assigned to the transfemoral artery group and 90 cases to the transradial artery group. We analyzed the data from the two groups, including the achievement ratio of paracentesis, cannulation time, the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation, the time of the total procedure, achievement ratio of PCI, incidence rate of vascular complications, total duration of hospitalization, and the six-month follow-up results in both groups. Results： Our results showed that the achier ement ratio of arteriopuncture, cannulafion time and the time from local anesthesia to the first time balloon inflation in the transradial and transfemoral groups were 98.9% vs. 100%, 3.15 ± 1.56min vs. 2.86 ± 0.97 min, and 18.56 ± 4.37 min vs. 17.75 ± 3.21 min, respectively. These differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. The total operating time was 29.75 ± 4.38 rain for the transradial group and 27.89 ± 3.95 min（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. The operation achievement ratio in the transradial group was 96.7%, and 96.2% in the transfemoral group. The incidence of puncture point complications was 2.2% in the transradial group and 11.4% in the transfemoral group, and this difference was significant. The duration of hospitalization was 10.56 ± 2.85 days for the transradial group and 13.78 ± 3.15 days（P 〈 0.05） for the transfemoral group. At the six-month follow-up, the rate of survival without cardiac event was 86.1% vs. 86.4% respectively in the transradial and transfemoral groups（P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： The transradial approach was as effective as the transfemoral approach, and there were fewer puncture point complications as well as a shorter span of hospitalization in the transradial group. PCI via the transradial approach is safe, effective and feasible in patients with AMI.

Topical anaesthesia before transradial approach for supraoartic vessels angiography and stenting in the elderly： a feasible alternative

Over the years, the use of transradial approach （TRA） for carotid artery stenting （CAS） with distal embolic protection has been recognized as a valid alternative to the conventional femoral approach, improving the outcomes compared to carotid endoatherectomy.0-33 Indeed, despite the femoral artery remains the conventional access site for the endovascular treatment of supraoartic vessels, concomitant anatomical variations and/or peripheral vascular disease could complicate the cannulation of such arteries. Moreover, the TRA has been related with a lower incidence of bleeding complications and a shorter bed rest after the interventional procedure.

Effectiveness and Feasibility of Transradial Approach for Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of transradial approach for primary, emergency percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） in patients with acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. Methods One hundred and ninety five patients with AMI undergone primary PCI were randomized into two groups using different catheter insertion pathways ： 105 cases by transfemoral approach and 90 cases by transradial approach. We compared data of different operating approaches in terms of success rate of access, cannulation time, the time from local anesthesia to the first balloon inflation, the total procedure time, success rate of PCI, access site complications, total duration of hospitalization, and the clinical outcomes at six-month follow-up. Results The success rate of artery puncture, cannulation time, and the time from local anesthesia to the first balloon inflation in the transradial and transfemoral groups were 98.9 % vs 100 % （P 〉0. 05）, 3.15 ± 1.56 minutes vs 2. 86 ± 0.97 minutes （P 〉0. 05）, and 18.56 ± 4. 37 minutes vs 17.75± 3.21 minutes （P 〉 0. 05 ）, respectively. Although the total procedure time was significantly shorter in the transfemoral group （27.89 ± 3.95 minutes） than in the transradial group （29.75 ±4. 38 minutes） （P 〈0. 05）, the overall PCI success rate was similar between the two groups （96.2 % vs 96. 7 % ）. Use of the transradial approach was associated with fewer access site complications （ 2. 2 % vs 11.4 %, P 〈 0. 05 ） and a shorter length of hospital stay （ 10. 6 days vs 13.8 days, P 〈 0. 05 ）. At six-month follow-up, the cumulative cardiac event-free survival rate was 86. 1% and 86. 4% （P 〉 0. 05 ）, respectively, in the transradial and transfemoral groups. Conclusions Transradial approach achieved similar effectiveness as transfemoral approach in emergency PCI. However, the use of the transradial approach decreased access complications and hospital stay. Primary PCI via transradial approach is safe, effective, and feasible in patients with AMI.

The feasibility of left radial artery approach for coronary angiography

Objective：To study the feasibility of the left radial approach for coronary angiography. Methods：195 patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease were randomly divided for coronary angiography（CAG） into a left radial artery approach group（98 cases） and a right radial artery approach group（97 cases） from Jan 2006 to Dec 2006. Selective coronary angiographies were performed with 5F TIG catheters. The time of puncturing, duration under X-ray fluoroscopy and of the operation, successful rates of puncturing and coronary angiography were recorded. Results：There was no difference in the time of puncturing（2.25 ± 1.58 min vs 2.19 ± 1.62 min）, duration under X-ray fluoroscopy（3.12 ± 1.53 min vs 3.21 ± 1.49 min） and the duration of the operation（12.87 ± 2.52 min vs 12.98 ± 2.85 rain）, nor in the success rates of puncturing（95.91% vs 95.87%） and coronary angiography（94.90% vs 94.85%）. Conclusion： Coronary angiography can be accomplished via the left radial artery approach, indicating that this is a worthwhile clinical approach.

Safety and feasibility of transulnar versus transradial artery approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients

Background Transradial approach catheterization is now widely used in coronary angiography and angioplasty.The ulnar artery,which is one of the two terminal branches of the brachial artery,may be a potential approach for cardiac catheterization.The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of a transulnar approach for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.Methods A total of 535 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to transulnar approach （TUA） group （n=271） or transradial approach （TRA） group （n=264） upon arrival at the catheterization laboratory.Allen＇s test and inverse Allen＇s test were not routinely performed.Ultrasound-Doppler assessment of the forearm artery was performed before the procedure,two days after the procedure,and 30 days after the procedure.The primary endpoints of study were the rate of successful artery cannulation and the access-site related complications.The secondary endpoints included the number of needle punctures,total time for the procedure,and major adverse cardiac events （MACE）.Results Successful puncture of the objective artery was obtained in 91.5％ of the patients in the TUA group,and 95.1％ of the patients in the TRA group （P ＞0.05）.There was no significant difference in hematoma complications between the two groups （7.7％ vs.4.2％,P=0.100）.A motor abnormality of the hand was observed in one patient in the TUA group.There were no arteriovenous fistula or pseudoaneurysm observed in our study.Three （1.1％） patients in the TUA group and 8 （3.0％） patients in the TRA group had occlusion of the access artery （P=0.137）,but none of the patients had symptoms or signs of hand ischemia.There were no significant differences in MACE between the two groups during follow-up.Conclusion The transulnar approach is an effective and safe technique for coronary catheterization in non-selective patients.

A comparison of transradial and transfemoral approaches for primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients in a high volume percutaneous coronary intervention center

Background Large percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） centers have shown statistically better prognosis with transradial approach （TRA） compared with transfemoral approach （TFA）. So we tried to compare the outcomes between TRA and TFA in one high volume PCI center in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction （STEMI） patients undergoing primary PCI. Method Six hundred and sixty two STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI with stents implantation were retrospectively included from June 1, 2006 to April 30, 2011 in our hospital and prospectively followed for one year. The primary endpoint was defined as in-hospital net adverse clinical events （NACE） which included death, myocardial infarction （MI）, stroke, target vessel revascularization （TVR） and major bleeding. The secondary endpoint was defined as 1 year major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE） which included death, MI and TVR. Results The occurrence rates of NACE （8.0% vs. 17.0%, P = 0.0018）, access site complications （4.0% vs. 10.7% P = 0.0027） and access site-related major bleeding （2.4% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.0254） were all higher in the TFA group than in the TRA group. The incidence rate of 1 year MACE was similar between TRA and TFA （8.5% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.0932）. The inverse probabilities weighting matched multivariable Cox regression analysis showed TRA was an independent predictor of lower rates of in-hospital NACE （HR： 0.58, 95% CI： 0.34-0.99, P = 0.0477）, in-hospital death （HR： 0.31, 95% CI： 0.10-0.73, P = 0.0499） and access site complications （HR： 0.37, 95% CI： 0.19-0.73, P = 0.0040）. Conclusions TRA showed great efficacy and safety for STEMI patients undergoing primar-y PCI in high volume PCI centers. It should be recommended as routine practice in future, and especially in those patients with high risk of bleeding.

Clinical study of arterial anatomic variations for transradial coronary procedure in Chinese population

Background The radial artery is currently regarded as a useful approach for coronary intervention procedures. Adequate anatomical information of the radial artery should be helpful in performing transradial coronary procedures. Few data about the Chinese population have been obtained in this field. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of anomalous patterns, and their influence on the intervention procedure. Methods In an estimated sample of 3000 cases, radial artery and subclavical artery angiography were performed after insertion of the sheath and coronary angiography （CA）. The evaluable data including branch anomaly, tortuosity of the radial artery and procedural characteristics were analyzed. The procedure success was defined as CA or percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） completed with the initial radial artery approach without changing to other routes. Results In this study, 1897 cases of CA was undertaken and 1103 cases of CA combined with PCI were performed. The success rate of transradial intervention （TRI） was 96.6% （2899/3000）. The approach in 44 cases was changed to the contralateral radial artery and 57 cases were changed to the brachial artery or femoral artery due to failure with the initial radial artery approach. The angiography of the upper limb artery was performed in all cases. Anatomic variations of upper limb arteries were noted in 610 patients （20.3%）, which included tortuous configurations of the radial artery （5.0%）, hypoplasias （2.2%）, radioulnar loop （1.1%）, abnormal origin of the radial artery （7.7%）, stenosis of radial artery （1.4%）, a tortuous configuration of the brachial artery （0.9%）, a tortuous configurations of the subclavian artery （1.9%）, lusoria subclavian artery （0.1%）, and subclavian artery occlusion （0.03%）. The procedural success rate in the normal population was higher than in the variation group （97.6% vs 93.0%, P 〈0.001）. In addition, other procedural outcomes and incidence of complications except radial artery occlusion were also significantly superior to variation group. Conclusions Anatomic variations of the radial artery were common, making up an important limitation in the trans- radial approach. Selection of appropriate instruments and understanding some tips and tricks were helpful to overcome the obstacles and effectively reduce the learning curve.

Safety and feasibility of repeated percutaneous transradial coronary intervention in the same route

Background The radial approach has been increasingly used as an alternative to femoral access.And more procedures using repeated transradial coronary intervention （r-TRI） are performed.However,few data about r-TRI has been obtained.Therefore,we investigated the safety and feasibility of r-TRI using the same route.Methods A total of 423 consecutive eligible patients undergoing r-TRI were enrolled in the r-TRI group,and 846 patients with initial TRI （i-TRI） were assigned to the i-TRI group in a 2：1 matching ratio compared to r-TRI group.The primary endpoint included the success rate of the procedure and the incidence of vascular related complications.Results The baseline clinical characteristics in the two groups were comparable.The success rate of procedures in the r-TRI and i-TRI was similar （96.0% vs.97.5%,P=0.130）.In subgroup analysis （coronary angiography only or angiography with pecutaneous coronary intervention）,similar results were also observed.The puncture numbers and incidence of radial artery spasm in the r-TRI group were significantly higher than in the i-TRI group （P=-0.024 and P 〈0.001,respectively）.The other procedural outcomes in the two groups were identical.With respect to the incidence of overall vascular related complication and independent events,there were no significant differences in spite of a higher incidence of radial artery occlusion （RAO）in the r-TRI group （RAO：1.2% vs.0.7%,P=-0.521）.The patients in the i-TRI group had more comfortable feeling than patients in the r-TRI group （P=-0.001）.Conclusions R-TRI produces a comparable procedure success rate and incidence of vascular complication when compared to i-TRI.It should be considered as an acceptable and safe procedure.

Safety and efficacy of transulnar approach for coronary angiography and intervention

Background Transradial approach, which is now widely used in coronary angiography and intervention, may be advantageous with respect to the femoral access due to the lower incidence of vascular complications. Transulnar approach has been proposed for elective procedures in patients not suitable for transradial approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transulnar approach versus the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. Methods Two hundred and forty patients undergoing coronary angiography, followed or not by intervention, were randomized to transulnar （TUA） or transradial approach （TRA）. Doppler ultrasound assessments of the forearm vessels were scheduled for all patients before procedures, 1 day and 30 days after procedures. The primary end point was access site vascular complications during hospitalization and 30 days follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events （MACE） as secondary end point was recorded till 30 days follow-up. Results Successful puncture was achieved in 98.3% （118/120） of patients in the TUA group, and in 100% （120/120） of patients in the TRA group. Coronary angiographies were performed in 40 and 39 patients in TUA and TRA group. Intervention procedures were performed in 78 and 83 patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively. The incidence of artery stenosis 1 day and 30 days after procedures was 11.0% vs.12.3% and 5.1% vs. 6.6% in TUA and TRA group, respectively. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.1% vs.1.7% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transulnar angioplasty, and in 6.6% vs. 4.9% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transradial angioplasty. Minor bleeding was still observed at the moment of the ultrasound assessment in 5.9% and 5.7% of patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively （P=0.949）. No big forearm hematoma, and A-V fistula were observed in both groups. Freedom from MACE at 30 days follow-up was observed in all patients. Conclusions The transulnar approach is as safe and effective as the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. It is an attractive opinion for experienced operators who are skilled in this technique, particularly in cases of anatomic variations of the radial artery, radial artery small-caliber or thin radial pulse.