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Vascular Complications Following Transradial and Transulnar Coronary Angiography in 1600 Consecutive Patients
George Hahalis1, Grigorios Tsigkas2, Stavros Kakkos3
1Department of Cardiology, Patras University Hospital, Rio, Patras, Greece hahalisg@yahoo.com.
Insights
Major noncoronary complications after transradial coronary procedures are rare, occurring in 0.44% of patients. Vigilance for these infrequent events following forearm procedures is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Transradial access is a common approach for coronary procedures.
- Major noncoronary complications are considered rare following these interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and types of major noncoronary complications after transradial coronary procedures.
- To highlight the importance of monitoring for adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 1600 patients undergoing transradial coronary procedures.
- Complete follow-up was conducted to identify complications.
Main Results:
- Seven major complications were observed in 1600 patients, yielding an incidence of 0.44%.
- Complications included intramyocardial contrast injection, compartment syndrome, hand ischemia, ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm, and arteriovenous fistula.
Conclusions:
- Major noncoronary complications, though infrequent, can occur after transradial coronary procedures.
- Continued surveillance for these complications is advised.
Background:
Major, noncoronary complications are rarely encountered following transradial coronary procedures.
Methods And Results:
Among 1600 prospectively studied patients with complete follow-up, 7 patients experienced major complications following coronary forearm procedures corresponding to an incidence of 0.44%. We found inadvertent symptomatic intramyocardial contrast medium injection, 2 cases with compartment syndrome of which 1 was managed surgically, exertional hand ischemia due to radial artery occlusion, a large ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm, an ulnar arteriovenous fistula, and 1 critical hand ischemia due to late occlusion of the distal brachial artery.
Conclusions:
Although infrequent, surveillance for major complications should be encouraged after forearm coronary procedures.
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