Transradial approach for percutaneous intervention in acute myocardial infarction

Transradial intervention (TRI) approach has emerged as an alternative and competitive method compared with transfemoral intervention (TFI) approach for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in simple to complex coronary disease. TRI, when performed by operators experienced with this technique, appears to have comparable efficacy and procedural resource utilization compared with TFI. However, vascular access complications, specifically major and minor bleeding, can be reduced with TRI. Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at the highest risk for periprocedural bleeding for a variety of reasons, and may derive the greatest benefit from TRI. This review article will discuss potential advantages for TRI in the setting of AMI, barriers, and development of a TRI AMI program.