Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Transradial access (TRA) has become the primary route for coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently a new puncture site more distally in the area of the anatomical snuffbox has been described. With this multicenter registry, we wish to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the distal radial access (dRA). METHODS: Between December 2018 and May 2019 all patients with a planned CAG or PCI via dRA in three cardiology centers in Germany were entered into this registry. Procedural data, puncture success, crossover rate and complications were registered. Proximal and distal radial artery patency were examined by ultrasound within 48 h. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients were enrolled (mean age: 69 ± 12 years, 69% male gender, 49% PCI), in 5 cases bilateral distal puncture was performed. Puncture success, defined as completed sheath placement was high (N = 316/332, 95%) and the crossover rate was low (27/332, 8%). The rate of proximal radial artery occlusion after 1-48 h was low (2/332 1%), the rate of occlusion at the distal puncture site was also very low (3/332, 1%). Major complications were not encountered. CONCLUSION: Coronary angiography and interventions via the distal transradial access in the area of the anatomical snuffbox can be performed with a high rate of success and safety. This data suggests a reduced rate of radial artery occlusion compared to previously reported data after cannulation via the standard forearm radial artery puncture site. Randomized studies are needed to further investigate these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered in the German registry for clinical trials: DRKS00017110, retrospectively on 07.May 2019.