AORTIC-ARCH AND SELECTIVE CAROTID DSA PERFORMED VIA A RIGHT TRANSBRACHIAL APPROACH USING A 4F CATHETER

Three hundred and sixty seven patients were studied for cerebrovascula r disease with intra-arterial digital subtraction. Examination were pe rformed using a right transbrachial approach with a 4F catheter. Selec tive catheterization of the carotid arteries was possible in 98% for t he left and 99% for the right. Image quality was consistently good or excellent. There was 2 neurologic complications and 1 local complicati on (hematoma) requiring surgery few weeks later. Selective carotid and vertebral catheterizations by the brachial route is safe, simple, acc urate and rapid (15 mn) and can be employed in outpatients.