Flow-mediated dilatation facilitates transradial coronary angiography: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Cardiology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Radial artery spasm is a frequent complication of transradial approach (TRA).
• Predicting and mitigating radial artery spasm is crucial for successful TRA.
• Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) assesses vascular function and may predict spasm likelihood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if radial FMD can predict the likelihood of radial artery spasm during TRA.
• To evaluate the effect of FMD induction on radial artery diameter and puncture success.

Main Methods:

• 165 patients undergoing TRA were included.
• Patients were divided into groups with and without flow-mediated radial artery dilatation.
• Radial artery diameters were measured pre-TRA; FMD was induced using a pressure cuff in one group.

Main Results:

• The FMD group exhibited significantly larger mean radial artery diameter (3.44 ±0.48 mm) compared to the control group (2.96 ±0.46 mm).
• The number of puncture attempts was significantly higher in the group without FMD (1.55 ±0.7) versus the FMD group (1.20 ±0.64).
• Diabetes and FMD were independent predictors of radial artery diameter; FMD increased diameter in diabetic patients.

Conclusions:

• Preprocedural FMD induction significantly increases radial artery diameter.
• FMD testing can be a valuable tool to predict and potentially reduce radial artery spasm during TRA.
• This method may improve procedural success rates and patient outcomes in TRA.