Transbrachial selective arteriography of the neck vessels: our experience in 258 cases.

We have developed a catheter that facilitates the study of the neck vessels via a brachial arteriotomy so that other vascular areas (heart, kidneys, etc) can be studied in the same procedure. The catheter has a preformed curvature with a tapered, closed-end distal tip. We have successfully utilized this catheter in 258 consecutive patients, 133 (52%) of whom had undergone concurrent studies of other vascular areas, usually cardiac catheterization with coronary arteriography. No major complications occurred with the use of this catheter. We have found that with this catheter we can study the neck vessels via the brachial approach safely and easily and perform studies of other vascular areas using the same arteriotomy.