Left radial approach for coronary angiography: results of a prospective study

Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of Successful Coronary Angiography Through Right Radial Artery Access

Background: One of the limitations of the right radial access approach is complex vessel anatomy, such as subclavian tortuosity. Several clinical predictors have been proposed for tortuosities, such as older age, female sex and hypertension. In this study, we hypothesised that chest radiography would add predictive value to the traditional predictors. Methods: This prospective blinded study included patients who underwent transradial access coronary angiography. They were classified into four groups according to difficulty: Group I, Group II, Group III and Group IV. Different groups were compared according to clinical and radiographic characteristics. Results: The study included 108 patients (54, 27, 17 and 10 patients in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively). The rate of crossover to transfemoral access was 9.26%. Age, hypertension and female sex were associated with a greater difficulty and failure rates. Regarding radiographic parameters, a higher failure rate was associated with a higher diameter of the aortic knuckle (Group IV, 4.09 ± 1.32 cm versus Groups I, II and III combined, 3.26 ± 0.98 cm; p=0.015) and the width of the mediastinum (Group IV, 8.96 ± 2.88 cm versus Groups I, II and III combined, 7.28 ± 1.78 cm; p=0.009). The cut-off value for prominent aortic knuckle was 3.55 cm (sensitivity 70% and specificity 67.35%) and the width of mediastinum was 6.59 cm (sensitivity 90% and specificity 42.86%). Conclusion: Radiographic prominent aortic knuckle and wide mediastinum are valuable clinical parameters and useful predictors for transradial access failure caused by tortuosity of the right subclavian/brachiocephalic arteries or aorta.

Patent hemostasis of radial artery: Comparison of two methods

BACKGROUND

Radial artery obstruction is the most common complication of coronary angiography performed via transradial access. Patent hemostasis can significantly reduce the risk of radial artery occlusion. Previous studies utilized sophisticated methods to evaluate radial artery patency. Simplified and easily applicable methods for successful patent hemostasis are currently lacking.

AIM

To determine which method (pulse oximeter vs the traditional radial artery palpation) is better to achieve patent hemostasis.

METHODS

This prospective, single center study included 299 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention between November 2017 and July 2019. Patients less than 18 years old, with a history of radial artery disease, or no palpable artery pulse were excluded from the study. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. In the first group, radial artery flow was assessed by palpation of the artery during hemostasis (traditional method). In the second group, radial artery patency was estimated with the use of a pulse oximeter. Two different compression devices were used for hemostasis (air chamber and pressure valve). The primary study endpoint was the achievement of successful patent hemostasis.

RESULTS

The two groups (pulse oximeter vs artery palpation) had no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, risk factors, or comorbidities except for supraventricular arrhythmias. The percentage of patients with successful patent hemostasis was significantly higher in the pulse oximeter group (82.2% vs 68.1%, P = 0.005). A lower percentage of patients with spasm was recorded in the pulse oximeter group (9.9% vs 19.0%, P = 0.024). The incidence of local complications, edema, bleeding, hematoma, vagotonia, or pain did not differ between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, the use of a pulse oximeter (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.34-4.13, P = 0.003) and advanced age (OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.01-1.07, P = 0.006), were independently associated with an increased probability of successful patent hemostasis. The type of hemostatic device did not affect patent hemostasis (P = 0.450).

CONCLUSION

Patent hemostasis with the use of pulse oximeter is a simple, efficient, and safe method that is worthy of further investigation. Larger randomized studies are required to consider its clinical implications.