Evaluation of the Relationship Between Radial Artery Intima Media Thickness and Complications at the Intervention Site After Radial Angiography

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between pre-procedural radial intima-media thickness (rIMT) and radial artery thrombosis (RAO) in patients undergoing angiography using a transradial approach (TRA). Patients (n = 90) who underwent cerebral or peripheral arterial angiography using TRA were included in the study. Ultrasonographic evaluation was performed before and 12 h after the procedure. Preoperative rIMT measurement was performed at the distal radial artery. Presence of radial artery occlusion was evaluated by ultrasonography after radial catheterization and revealed occlusive thrombus in the radial artery in 13 patients. rIMT was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with thrombus ( P < .05). When it was evaluated whether there was a correlation between age and rIMT, a positive significant correlation was found ( P < .01). Our study suggests that increase of rIMT may be a risk factor for RAO in the intervention area. Before the procedure, ultrasound (US) assessment of the radial artery may be useful in determining the risk of occlusion. Thus, RAO-related technical risk factors (procedure time, number of punctures, sheath thickness, etc.) can be managed more carefully in patients having radial angiography.

Comparison of long-term radial artery occlusion via distal vs. conventional transradial access (CONDITION): a randomized controlled trial

“…In addition, early RAO before discharge was not reported in the study, and the rate of loss to follow-up was relatively high (23.6%). Repeated ipsilateral radial artery access might aggravate damage to the radial intima and increase the thickness of the intima, which might decrease the successful puncture rate and increase the incidence of access-related complications [28]. In addition, a 6 Fr sheath was indiscriminately used in all patients in our study, which may greatly increase the sheath-to-vessel mismatch in patients undergoing repeated ipsilateral radial artery access.…”