Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026
Transradial Access Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Published on: September 20, 2020
Efficacy of transradial cerebral angiography in the elderly
Jung-Hyun Park1, Dae-Yong Kim, Jin-Wook Kim
1Department of Neurosurgery, Gospel Hospital, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
Insights
Transradial cerebral angiography is a safe and effective diagnostic tool, particularly beneficial for elderly patients. This approach offers improved patient comfort and better management of tortuous vessels.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Imaging
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Transradial angiography is widely adopted in cardiology but less so for cerebral angiography.
- Cerebral angiography traditionally uses femoral access, which can be associated with complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility and safety of transradial cerebral angiography, with a focus on elderly patients.
- To present institutional experience with this minimally invasive technique.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 126 transradial cerebral angiographies performed between May 2011 and February 2012.
- Included 47 patients over 60 years old; radial access was not attempted in 40 cases for various reasons.
Main Results:
- Achieved a procedural success rate of 92.2% with no major vascular complications.
- Selective catheterization rates for distal left-sided vessels were lower (75% for left internal carotid artery).
- One case of intraprocedural thrombosis occurred, successfully treated with thrombolytic agents.
Conclusions:
- Transradial cerebral angiography is a valuable tool for reducing patient discomfort.
- The technique effectively manages vessel tortuosity, especially in the elderly population.
Objective:
Transradial angiography has become popular among many cardiologists as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. However, transradial cerebral angiography is not utilized to the same extent. The purpose of this study is to present our experience regarding the usefulness of transradial cerebral angiography, especially in elderly patients.
Methods:
Between May 2011 and February 2012, a total of 126 cerebral angiographies were performed via a transradial approach in a single center. Of them, only 47 patients were over 60 years old. In our institution, we shifted the initial access from the right femoral artery to the right radial artery in all patients requiring cerebral angiography in 2011. We did not attempt radial access in 40 cases for variable reasons.
Results:
The procedural success rate was 92.2%. We have four failures of transradial angiography; two because of loop formations of the radial and brachial artery and two due to multiple puncture failures. All supra-aortic vessels were successfully catheterized. However, the selective catheterization rates of the left side distal vessels were lower, as success rates were 89.7% for the right internal carotid artery and 75% for the left internal carotid artery. Procedure-related vascular complications, such as puncture site hematoma, hand ischemia, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula and arterial dissection were not observed in our series. However, intraprocedural thrombosis developed in one patient, which was resolved completely by intraarterial thrombolytic agents.
Conclusion:
With advancing patient's age, we believe that transradial cerebral angiography is a useful tool to decrease patient's discomfort and more effectively manage the vessel tortuosity.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
01:19Imaging Studies VII: Vascular Imaging