[Usefulness of selective cerebral angiography by transradial approach]

Transradial angiography has recently emerged as an alternative to the transfemoral or transbrachial approach, especially for coronary procedures. However, there have been few studies on cerebral angiography using the transradial approach. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes, complications, and limitations of selective cerebral angiography via the transradial approach. Selective cerebral angiography by the right transradial approach using 100-cm-long 4-F catheters was performed in 83 patients. Using five types of catheters, the success rates of selective catheterization to the right vertebral artery, right common carotid artery, left common carotid artery, and left vertebral artery were 40/44 (91%), 68/68 (100%), 62/62 (100%), and 14/25 (56%), respectively. Puncture failed in one patient, and a guidewire could not be introduced beyond the radial artery loop in one patient. Radial artery spasm occurred in one patient, but was relieved immediately after nitroglycerin injection through the sheath with side holes. Subcutaneous bleeding occurred in six patients, but no obvious hematomas were noted. Occlusion or stenosis of the radial artery occurred in five patients, but no ischemic symptoms were observed in any of the cases. This study suggested that selective cerebral angiography can be performed safely using the transradial approach.