Distal Radial Access for Diagnostic and Interventional Coronary Procedures in an All-comer Population: Observational Registry

Introduction In recent decades, trans radial access (TRA) through the proximal radial artery has become the standard access site for performing diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures, its advantages over trans femoral access being demonstrated through multiple studies. such as reduction in access site complications and even reduction in mortality, especially in higher-risk patients.

There are circumstances in which anatomical variants can limit the clinical benefits of TRA, generating complications such as radial artery occlusion (RAO), which is by far the most frequent complication of this access, with a higher incidence at 24 h and recanalization after 30 days in 50% of patients. The presence of RAO limits access to future procedures, if necessary. The incidence of RAO reported in experienced centers remains high.

Distal Radial Access (DRA) through the anatomical snuffbox of the hand is a technique that has emerged in recent years and has been consolidated in multiple multicenter studies and meta-analyses to obtain arterial access in patients undergoing coronary angiography. and coronary intervention, which reduces the incidence of RAO, in addition to reducing hemostasis times, favoring patient and operator comfort compared to TRA.

DRA requires a slightly higher learning curve than TRA due to certain anatomical characteristics, such as the size of the distal radial artery, its depth, the presence of tortuosities, and the specific anatomical structures surrounding it. The DRA technique initially described was based on anatomical references (conventional puncture), however, the introduction of ultrasound as a puncture tool allows the operator to identify the size and course of the artery, in addition to a better assessment of the anatomy of the artery. area, thus avoiding injuries to them.

Most of the registries and clinical trials conducted to date are single centers, so the conduct of collaborative studies is of interest to determine the usefulness of different types of arterial access in coronary procedures.