A Randomized Comparison of Post-procedural/Pre-hemostasis Intraarterial Nitroglycerin Versus Nicardipine to Reduce Radial Artery Occlusion After Transradial Catheterization

A total of 600 patients undergoing coronary procedures via transradial access using 6F sheath were randomized at the end of the procedure to receive either 250-µg nicardipine or 500-µg nitroglycerin administered to the radial artery through the radial sheath before sheath removal. A continuous patent hemostasis was applied in each patient with the use of an oximetry to maintain an oxygen saturation of >95%, measured in the finger of the accessed arm until compression device was totally removed. The primary outcome is early RAO which was evaluated by color duplex ultrasonography of the accessed arteries at the day after the radial procedure. Secondary outcome was the change of blood pressure at 2-3 minutes after drug administration. Radial artery angiogram was performed after radial sheath insertion and doppler ultrasound of the accesed radial artery was examined at the day after the procedure.