Radial artery perforation: when a friend turns against you

Radial artery approach is currently the most common access site for coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. It rarely results in complications, improves patient comfort, and reduces the duration of hospitalization.

A 91-year-old woman presented to our institution with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The right radial access was chosen for the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention. After the introduction of 6 F sheath, there was difficulty in the advancement of 0.035 J wire that was exchanged with a Terumo hydrophilic wire. After the procedure and before sheath removal, radial arteriography was done and revealed perforation. Protamine sulfate was administered and prolonged balloon inflation was attempted but failed to seal the perforation, so a 7-F-long vascular sheath was inserted to internally tamponade the vessel, and the patient was sent to the coronary care unit for monitoring. Over the next 3 days, serial radial angiographies were done revealing the persistence of the perforation, and on the fourth day, angiography revealed multiple thrombi. Thrombus aspiration was done using Pronto V4 extraction catheter (Vascular Solutions, USA) and was followed by the deployment of a covered stent. The stent was dislodged and successfully snared. Finally, the perforation was sealed spontaneously and there were no signs of intra-arterial thrombi.

Despite the very low complication rate of radial approach, the interventional cardiologist should be aware of any possible complication, and how to avoid or, eventually, manage it.