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Left Distal Radial Artery Access Site in Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Is It Safe?
1Department of Cardiology, Ege University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey
Insights
Left distal radial artery access is a safe and feasible alternative for primary percutaneous coronary interventions in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients. Experienced operators can successfully perform these procedures, offering a new option for cardiac interventions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
- Vascular Access
Background:
- The left distal radial artery is an emerging access site for coronary angiography.
- Its utility as an alternative for primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) requires assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the applicability of left distal radial artery access for primary PCI in STEMI patients.
- To determine the safety and feasibility of this novel approach.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational cohort study involving 30 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI.
- Left distal radial artery access was utilized by experienced operators unaware of the study.
- Patient demographics and procedural complications were recorded.
Main Results:
- All 30 procedures were successfully completed using 6 French catheters.
- One case of brachial spasm occurred, successfully treated.
- Four patients required conversion from transfemoral to left distal radial access due to iliac disease.
- No instances of radial occlusion, hematoma, neurologic deficit, or bleeding were reported.
Conclusions:
- The left distal radial artery serves as a safe and feasible alternative access site for primary PCI in STEMI.
- Successful implementation is contingent upon the expertise of the performing operators.
Background:
Left distal radial artery access site has emerged as a new technique for coronary angiography procedures.
Aims:
We aimed at assessing its applicability as an alternative way for primary percutaneous coronary interventions in ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Study Design:
Retrospective observational cohort study.
Methods:
Left distal radial artery was used as an access site in 30 consecutive ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients for primary coronary intervention. It was used by experienced operators who were unaware of the study. All patients had a prominent pulse in their left forearm and distal radial artery. Each patient’s left arm was gently bent into his/her right groin with comfortable position of the hand. The operator/s stood at the right side of the patient where both could make the arterial puncture. Demographic features and complications were recorded during the hospital stay.
Results:
Mean age of patients was 58 years with a male gender predominance of 87%. Fifteen patients were diagnosed of Inferior elevation myocardial infarction, 14 patients of Anterior, and one of Lateral elevation myocardial infarction. The most common culprit artery was the left anterior descending coronary artery (14 patients). Six patients were in KILLIP class II on admission and only one with Anterior elevation myocardial infarction was in severe pulmonary edema (KILLIP III) during intervention. All the procedures were successfully contemplated with 6 French Judkins catheters. Brachial spasm occurred in one patient which was resolved with intra-arterial nitrate. Transfemoral approach was changed to left distal radial access in 4 patients due to severe bilateral iliac artery disease. Mean puncture time was 37.36 seconds. There was no radial occlusion, hematoma, hand neurologic deficit or bleeding. Patients were discharged on an average duration of 4.2 days.
Conclusion:
Left distal radial artery can be used as an alternative safe and feasible access site for successful primary coronary interventions provided that it is performed by experienced operators.
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