Transradial coronary angiography in patients with contraindications to the femoral approach: an analysis of 500 cases.

The transradial approach to coronary angiography is considered by some to be a route of choice, by others to be a route that should be used only where there are relative contraindications to the femoral approach. We present the largest series to date of patients in whom transradial coronary angiography was undertaken specifically because of contraindications to the femoral approach. Since 1995, patients at this cardiothoracic center have been considered for a transradial approach to coronary angiography if there were relative contraindications to the femoral route. Data from 500 patients was prospectively collected. Patients were aged 66 +/- 9 years; 72% were male. Indications for the radial approach included peripheral vascular disease (305), therapeutic anticoagulation (77), musculoskeletal (59), and morbid obesity (32). Sixty-eight patients (14%) required a radial procedure following a failed femoral approach. Access was right radial 291 (58%), left radial 209 (42%). Eighteen operators were involved, but two operators undertook 355 (71%) of the cases. Catheter gauge was 6 Fr (n = 243; 49%), 5 Fr (219; 43%), and 4 Fr (29; 6%). The procedure was successful in 463 cases [92.6%; 88.2% for nonmajority vs. 94.4% (P < 0.05) for the two majority operators]. Success in males (93.6%) significantly exceeded that in females (90.1%; P < 0.05). In-catheter-laboratory duration was 45 +/- 17 min; fluoroscopy time, 7.5 +/- 6 min; radiation dose, 40 +/- 23 CGy. The procedure was without incident in 408 cases (82%). There were procedural difficulties in 18% of cases, including radial artery spasm (12%) and vasovagal response (5%). The incidence was higher with 6 Fr catheters (23%) than with 5/4 Fr (15%; P < 0.05). Major procedural complications occurred in three cases: brachial artery dissection in one and cardiac arrest in two. Postprocedure major vascular complications numbered three: claudicant pain on handgrip in one, ischemic index finger (with subsequent terminal phalanx amputation due to osteomyelitis) in one, and ischemic hand for 4 hr in one. Patients with contraindications to the femoral approach form a high-risk group. In these patients, transradial cardiac catheterization can be performed successfully and with a low risk of major complications. Minor adverse features remain frequent, occurring in one in five cases, though difficulties are minimized both with increasing operator experience and smaller sheath diameter.