Arterial Access for Pediatric Angiography and Endovascular Interventions: Techniques, Site Selection, and...

Obtaining arterial access is one of the most technically challenging aspects of pediatric angiography and endovascular interventions. Due to anatomic and physiologic differences, pediatric arteries are small and prone to vasospasm and dissection. Together with the lack of dedicated pediatric-specific equipment, the risks for arterial occlusion and thrombotic complications are significantly higher in children: up to 16% in those who weigh less than 15 kg. Detailed preprocedural planning, including selection of an appropriate arterial access site, periprocedural optimization, use of US guidance for arterial puncture, and meticulous postaccess care can help improve the success rate and reduce adverse outcomes. Although the transfemoral approach remains the conventional access route for the majority of pediatric angiographic examinations and transarterial interventions, alternative access routes including umbilical, radial, brachial, or axillary arteries can be useful in certain clinical scenarios. In neonates, the umbilical vessels are the preferred access site, and their use may prevent access-related complications in the extremities. In steno-occlusive aortoiliac conditions or in complex interventions involving downward-sloping visceral arteries, upper extremity access (eg, radial, brachial, and axillary, depending on artery size) can aid in the delivery of interventional devices. Compared with traditional transfemoral access, transradial access also has the advantage of allowing early ambulation. Use of intraprocedural unfractionated heparin and vasodilators can help reduce vasospasm and thrombosis in small arteries. The mainstay of treatment of arterial thrombosis is systemic anticoagulation therapy, while catheter-directed thrombolysis or thrombectomy is reserved for patients with critical limb ischemia resistant to anticoagulation medication. ^©RSNA, 2025 Supplemental material is available for this article.