Percutaneous brachial approach using the femoral artery sheath for left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography.

A percutaneous method via the brachial artery for left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography is described. The technique uses the sheath intended for the femoral artery, continuously infused and introduced following a particular technique. The procedure was performed with minimal complications over 18 months, with multipurpose "Schoonmaker" or preshaped catheters, in all the patients (37) in whom the femoral approach was contraindicated or failed. When a catheterization must be performed from the arm, this method, without cutdown and arteriotomy and allowing a good distal flow during the procedure, appears to have some advantages over the classical Sones technique or the percutaneous arterial axillary approach.