BACKGROUND

Although transfemoral access (TFA) remains the standard of care for patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the USA, TRA is being increasingly used over TFA due to lower bleeding and mortality rates on the basis of meta-analyses and recently published MATRIX trial. In patients with unsuccessful ipsilateral radial access, TUA has been used as an alternative approach. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TUA and TRA have reached mixed conclusions regarding the use of transulnar approach for coronary procedures.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published RCTs comparing the safety and efficacy of transulnar access (TUA) vs. transradial access (TRA) in patients undergoing CA or PCI.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched for RCTs since inception through December, 2014. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects model.

RESULTS

Five RCTs involving 2,744 total patients were included in the meta-analysis. TUA compared with TRA had similar risks of MACE [risk ratio (RR): 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56-1.36; P = 0.54] and access-related complications [RR: 0.92 (0.67-1.27); P = 0.62]. Higher rates of access cross-over [RR: 2.31 (1.07-4.98); P = 0.003] and number of punctures [1.57 vs. 1.4; mean difference (MD): 0.17; 95% CI: 0.08-0.26; P = 0.0002] were noted with TUA. There was no difference in arterial access time [12.8 vs. 10.9 min; MD: 1.86 (-1.35-5.7); P = 0.26], fluoroscopy time [7.6 vs. 7.2 min; MD: 0.37 (-0.39 - 1.13); P = 0.34] and contrast volume [151 vs. 153.7 ml; MD: -2.74 (-17.21 - 11.73); P = 0.71].

CONCLUSION

For patients requiring CA or PCI, TUA compared with TRA has similar efficacy and safety except for higher puncture rates and access cross-over.