Focus on maximal miniaturisation of transradial coronary access materials and techniques by the Slender Club Japan and Europe: an overview and classification.

AIMS: To create awareness of, to summarise and to classify "Slender TRI": any technique associated with less trauma to the radial artery compared to traditional, established or recommended procedures, predominantly by reduction of French (Fr) size. METHODS AND
RESULTS: A literature search was conducted to identify publications on Slender transradial coronary interventions. Based on this search the following techniques will be described: miniaturisation of materials, sheathless coronary intervention, guideless coronary intervention and back-up-improving techniques. The European perspectives will be discussed.
CONCLUSIONS: Slender TRI is a new challenge to maximise patient value by improving outcome and reducing costs during TRI. Materials and techniques are continuously being refined and miniaturised to the highest standards. Whether outcome improves while reducing costs remains to be validated.