OBJECTIVES: Upper-limb arterial anomalies are sometimes encountered during transradial coronary procedures. These anomalies may contribute to procedural failure or to vascular complications, and are a major reason why many operators tend to avoid transradial procedures. We investigated the frequency of right upperlimb arterial anomalies using antegrade arteriography in patients undergoing transbrachial coronary angiography or intervention, and discuss the potential impact of these anomalies on the transradial procedure. METHODS: We prospectively studied 163 consecutive patients who underwent right transbrachial coronary angiography or intervention for the first time during the period from May 2007 to December 2007. Following the transbrachial procedure, we performed antegrade transbrachial arteriography of right upper-limb arteries in these patients and investigated the frequency and anatomy of arterial anomalies. RESULTS: A total of 40 upper-limb arterial anomalies were observed in 38 patients (23.3%). These included 8 abnormal origins (4.9%), 2 radio-ulnar loops (1.2%), 25 tortuosities (15.3%), 4 stenoses (2.5%) and 1 loop (0.6%). In patients with congenital lesions (8 patients; 4.9%), abnormal origin of the radial artery was the most common anomaly encountered, and in the acquired group (25 patients; 15.3%), tortuosity was the most common abnormality. CONCLUSION: Even with a 23.3% incidence of right upper-limb arterial abnormalities, 98.8% of patients were acceptable for transradial coronary intervention except for 1.2% of radio-ulnar loops.
OBJECTIVES:Upper-limb arterial anomalies are sometimes encountered during transradial coronary procedures. These anomalies may contribute to procedural failure or to vascular complications, and are a major reason why many operators tend to avoid transradial procedures. We investigated the frequency of right upperlimb arterial anomalies using antegrade arteriography in patients undergoing transbrachial coronary angiography or intervention, and discuss the potential impact of these anomalies on the transradial procedure. METHODS: We prospectively studied 163 consecutive patients who underwent right transbrachial coronary angiography or intervention for the first time during the period from May 2007 to December 2007. Following the transbrachial procedure, we performed antegrade transbrachial arteriography of right upper-limb arteries in these patients and investigated the frequency and anatomy of arterial anomalies. RESULTS: A total of 40 upper-limb arterial anomalies were observed in 38 patients (23.3%). These included 8 abnormal origins (4.9%), 2 radio-ulnar loops (1.2%), 25 tortuosities (15.3%), 4 stenoses (2.5%) and 1 loop (0.6%). In patients with congenital lesions (8 patients; 4.9%), abnormal origin of the radial artery was the most common anomaly encountered, and in the acquired group (25 patients; 15.3%), tortuosity was the most common abnormality. CONCLUSION: Even with a 23.3% incidence of right upper-limb arterial abnormalities, 98.8% of patients were acceptable for transradial coronary intervention except for 1.2% of radio-ulnar loops.