Starting a transradial programme: how to go about it?

Since the introduction of the use of the radial artery as the means of access for coronary angiography by Campeau in 1989 and for angioplasty by Kiemeneij and Laarman in 1993, this artery is increasingly becoming the preferred route of access for percutaneous coronary intervention. The two main driving forces behind this have been the colossal advances in technology that led to miniaturization of catheters and the excellent results achieved with regard to vascular complications, despite the aggressive use of multiple potent antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents during percutaneous coronary interventions. More and more interventional centers are in the process of setting up a transradial program to adopt the transradial approach. This article concentrates on the practical aspects of setting up a transradial program and offers practical advice on how to go about it.