THE BRACHIAL APPROACH FOR INTRACORONARY STENT IMPLANTATION

Aggressive anticoagulation after intracoronary stent implantation lead s to an increased incidence of femoral hematomas and vascular complica tions. Out of 74 Medtronic Wiktor(R) stent implantations, six were per formed via right brachial artery cut-down. All six attempts were succe ssful without stent closure, bleeding or vascular complications. We fe el that intracoronary Wiktor(R) stent implantation via the brachial ap proach is feasible. The open artery repair and uninterrupted anticoagu lation may be an interesting advantage.