The Left Distal Transradial Artery Access for Coronary Angiography and Intervention: A US Experience
Highlights
- • The radial artery is the access of choice in many catheterization labs around the world due to its proven benefits over the femoral artery access.
- • The use of the left radial artery allows direct access to the left internal mammary artery for angiography in patients with previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
- • In this study, cardiac catheterizations were performed using the distal left radial artery access in carefully selected patients.
- • In radial expert labs, left distal radial artery access is feasible and safe. Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate performance compared to conventional radial artery access.
Abstract
Background
The radial artery is the access of choice in many catheterization labs around the world due to its proven benefits over the femoral artery access. There has been growing interest in the left radial artery. We sought to evaluate the feasibility, safety and complication rates of the left distal radial artery (ldTRA) access for cardiac catheterization.