Percutaneous coronary angioplasty by the radial artery: Feasibility and safety

The authors report the results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty using t he radial approach with respect to feasibility and safety. Between February 1994 and December 1998, out of a total of 9 070 coronary angioplasties per formed in our Institute, the radial arterial approach was chosen in 5 354 c ases (59%). During this period, the proportion of procedures performed via the radial artery progressively increased to 78% of cases in 1998. Canulati on of the radial artery was successful in S 244 cases (98%). Rotatory ather ectomy was used in 96 cases (2%), the excimer laser in 38 cases (1%) and st enting was performed in 3 350 cases (64%). Angiographic success was obtaine d in 5 224 patients (99%). Serious cardiac complications occurred in 82 pat ients (1.5%), including 17 deaths (0.3%), 22 CZ wave myocardial infarctions (0.4%). 28 non-Q wave infarcts (0.5%), S coronary bypass procedures (0.1%) and 10 sub-acute occlusions (0.2%). The vascular complications included 1 death due to an ischaemic cerebrovascular accident, 25 haematomas at the pu ncture site (0.5%) and 3 surgical arterial repairs. The radial pulse disapp eared after the procedure in 4% of cases, all asymptomatic. Angioplasty by the radial artery in the hands of trained operators is feasi ble and associated with a relatively low rate of cardiac and vascular compl ications.