Feasibility and Safety of a Computer-Controlled Device for Transradial Cerebral Angiography: A Prospective Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Interventional Radiology
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Transradial access is a common approach for cerebral angiography.
• Effective local anesthesia is crucial for patient comfort and procedural success.
• Traditional local anesthetic delivery can be variable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and safety of a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery device during transradial cerebral angiography.
• To descriptively evaluate procedural pain and hemodynamic changes associated with the device.

Main Methods:

• A prospective pilot study involving 10 adult patients undergoing elective diagnostic cerebral angiography.
• Local anesthesia was administered using a computer-controlled device with 3% mepivacaine via a 33-G needle.
• Feasibility was defined by successful anesthesia delivery and transradial access completion without complications. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and hemodynamic parameters were monitored.

Main Results:

• All 10 procedures were successfully completed using the computer-controlled device without malfunction or need for conversion to manual injection.
• The median VAS scores for pain were low across procedural steps (anesthesia, puncture, sheath insertion).
• No significant changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure were observed, and no access-site complications like vasospasm or bleeding occurred.

Conclusions:

• Computer-controlled local anesthesia is a feasible and safe option for transradial cerebral angiography in this initial patient cohort.
• The descriptive pain and hemodynamic findings suggest potential benefits, warranting further investigation.
• Larger, controlled studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of this technology.