Distal radial artery access in the anatomical snuffbox for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention

Abstract

Objective: Compared with transfemoral access, transradial access (TRA) has been shown to reduce major adverse cardiac events, major bleeding, and access site-related vascular complications. This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of the novel distal TRA in the anatomical snuffbox (AS) for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 102 consecutive patients (67 male; mean age: 56.1±13.2 years) who underwent coronary angiography and/or PCI via distal TRA in the AS. Results: Distal TRA was successfully performed in 98% of the patients. The crossover rate was very low (2%). The right distal TRA was the preferred approach and was used in 90.2% of the patients. Mean artery puncture time was 3.9±1.6 min. Mean compression time to achieve hemostasis at puncture site was 17.0±6.9 min. The post-procedural hematoma rate was very low (1%). One-month follow-up Doppler ultrasound showed zero cases of arteriovenous fistula and pseudo-aneurysm. However, proximal radial artery occlusion was observed in 1 patient (1%) and it was asymptomatic. Artery puncture time, unfractionated heparin dose, time to sheath removal, procedural numerical rating scale (NRS) score and post-procedural NRS score at 6 h were significantly different between diagnostic catheterization and PCI procedures (p<0.001). Conclusion: The distal TRA in the AS is safe and feasible for coronary angiography and PCI. However, further studies are warranted.