Balloon-assisted tracking in dealing with radial artery loop by transradial approach: a technical report.

The transradial approach for various coronary procedures has gained worldwide popularity because it reduces bleeding complications and increases patient comfort level. There may be difficulties encountered at various anatomical levels from radial artery to coronary artery level by this approach. Radial artery loop is one of the most common anatomical reasons for deferring or failure of transradial approach and shifting to the femoral route. Balloon-assisted tracking of catheters may help deal with radial artery loops without injuring the endothelium and increase the success rate of the coronary procedure.