Strategies to prevent radial artery occlusion after transradial PCI.

Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is the most common structural consequence of transradial access (TRA) with an estimated incidence ranging from 2-10 %. Its occurrence is free of any major clinical consequences, especially at rest, with most if not all cases of digital ischemia occurring as a result of embolization, rather than RAO. The incidence of RAO is unacceptably high if "best practices" are not followed. Strategies to prevent RAO need to be implemented to preserve radial artery patency in order to exploit other benefits of TRA.