Transradial cardiac catheterization in patients with prior brachial arterycutdown

The safety and efficacy of transradial cardiac catheterization in patients with prior ipsilateral brachial cutdown is not known. Using standard techni ques we performed transradial catheterization in 278 consecutive patients, of which 63 had prior brachial cutdown. All patients had a strongly palpabl e radial pulse and a negative Alien's test, Although patients with prior cu tdown were older and had a higher incidence of hypertension and prior coron ary artery bypass surgery, there was no significant difference in success r ates for transradial catheterization (93.6% vs. 95.3%; P = NS). There were no periprocedural complications. Brachial artery occlusion was responsible for only two unsuccessful catheterization attempts. We conclude that, with careful preprocedural screening, ipsilateral transradial cardiac catheteriz ation can be successfully performed in a majority of patients with prior br achial cutdown, Cathet Cardiovasc. Intervent 48:271-274, 1999. (C) 1999 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.