Impact of transradial coronary procedures on radial artery function.

We evaluated the impact of transradial coronary procedures on the vasodilatory function of the radial artery. A total of 65 patients who underwent transradial coronary procedures were enrolled. All patients were examined with B-mode high-resolution ultrasound. Radial artery baseline diameter and response to flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) were measured in the right radial artery. The FMD of the right radial artery was 11.5%, 4.1%, and 0.7%, respectively, before the procedures, 1 day, and 3 months after the procedures (P < .05 at 1 day, P < .01 at 3 months). The NMD of the right radial artery was 17.6%, 5.4%, and 6.3%, respectively, before the procedures, 1 day, and 3 months after the procedures (P < .05 at 1 day, P < .05 at 3 months). Transradial coronary procedures decrease radial artery FMD and NMD resulting in immediate and persistent blunting of vasodilatory function.