[Transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma]

We devised a catheter designed for a transradial artery approach and carried out selective hepatic arteriography and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in 1999. To evaluate the clinical usefulness and safety of our new catheterization, we compared the results of transradial approach with those of the conventional transfemoral approach. In 164 (98.9%) of 166 patients in the radial group, hepatic arteries and the SMA were successfully visualized by an approach via the left radial artery. TACE via the radial artery was attempted in all 164 patients in whom the sheath was able to be inserted. When the amount of time required from puncture to sheath removal was compared, the two groups of patients showed no intergroup difference. Complications occurred in 4 patients (2.6%) in the radial group: there were 2 cases of temporary dull pain and 2 cases of numbness at the site of puncture, all of which improved after slight release of the tourniquet. In conclusion, the present study reported that TACE by our new transradial approach was found to have therapeutic efficacy comparable to that of the conventional transfemoral approach. This technique is only minimally invasive and is associated with few complications. We consider that the transradial artery catheterization may become a technique of first choice of TACE.