CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION AND CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY USING 5 FRENCH PREFORMED (JUDKINS) CATHETERS FROM THE PERCUTANEOUS RIGHT BRACHIAL APPROACH- A COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS WITH THE FEMORAL APPROACH

This study describes a method for the performance of cardiac catheteri zation using 5 French preformed Judkins catheters from a percutaneous right brachial approach, and compares that technique to the more tradi tional percutaneous right femoral approach with 6 French catheters. On e hundred consecutive patients requiring diagnostic left heart cathete rization and selective coronary angiography were randomized according to femoral versus brachial arterial technique. Procedural efficiency, radiation exposure, and diagnostic film quality favored the femoral ap proach, while patient comfort, hemostasis time, time to ambulation, an d decreased need for post-procedure nursing care favored the brachial approach. No differences were identified in complications. Cardiac cat heterization from a right brachial artery percutaneous approach with 5 French preformed catheters has both advantages and disadvantages when compared with a more traditional femoral approach with 6 French cathe ters. Multiple factors should be considered before selecting an approa ch to diagnostic cardiac catheterization and each patient should be in dividually evaluated for determination of the optimal technique. (C) 1 993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.