Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
[Coronary angiography with 4 f catheters by the radial: minimally invasive catheterization]
Marcelo Sanmartín1, Javier Goicolea, Daniel Meneses
1Unidad de Cardiología Intervencionista, Medtec, Hospital Meixoeiro, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain. marcelo.sanmartin.fernandez@sergas.es
Insights
4 French (F) catheters are effective for diagnostic cardiac catheterization via the radial artery approach. This study found optimal or acceptable image quality in most cases, with excellent correlation to 6 F catheters.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Interventional cardiology
- Medical device technology
Context:
- Limited experience exists with 4 French (F) catheters in cardiac catheterization.
- 4 F catheters may offer advantages over conventional 6 F catheters for radial artery access.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the preliminary experience with diagnostic radial artery catheterization using 4 F catheters.
- To assess the quality of angiographic images and compare quantitative data with 6 F catheters.
Summary:
- 206 diagnostic procedures using 4 F catheters via radial access were reviewed.
- Optimal or acceptable left coronary angiography was achieved in 98% and right coronary angiography in 100%.
- Excellent correlation (r=0.92) was found between quantitative angiographic data from 4 F and 6 F catheters, with no major complications.
Impact:
- 4 F catheters are suitable for routine use in diagnostic radial artery procedures.
- This supports the use of smaller caliber catheters for minimally invasive cardiac interventions.
- Findings may encourage wider adoption of 4 F catheters, potentially improving patient comfort and reducing vascular complications.
Introduction And Objectives:
Experience with 4 F catheters in cardiac catheterization is limited. These devices appear to be more suitable for the radial artery approach than conventional 6 F catheters.
Methods:
We analyze our preliminary experience with diagnostic catheterization of the radial artery with 4 F catheters. Angiographic images were evaluated using a predefined scale (1. poor; 2. acceptable; 3. optimal). In a subgroup of patients who underwent coronary angioplasty, the quantitative angiographic data obtained with the 4 F catheter were compared to those obtained with the 6 F guide catheter. In all cases the patients were clinically followed-up at 24 h and 7 days.
Results:
Two hundred and six studies performed over a 12-month period were reviewed. In 6 cases (2.9%) the femoral vein had to be used instead and in 4 cases (1.9%) the 4 F catheters were replaced by 6 F catheters. The left coronary angiography was graded as optimal in 83% and as acceptable in 15%. Right coronary artery images were considered optimal in 93% and acceptable in 7%. There was an excellent correlation between the reference diameter obtained by quantitative angiography with the 4 F catheter and values obtained with a 6 F guide catheter (r = 0.92; p < 0.01). No major vascular complications occurred.
Conclusion:
4 F catheters are appropriate for systematic use in diagnostic procedures using the radial access.
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