Percutaneous entry of the brachial artery for transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Angioplasty is most commonly performed with catheters introduced percutaneously into the femoral artery. A brachial approach has previously been described that employs arteriotomy and cutdown. We describe here the technique and initial results of an alternative method of brachial entry, wherein the catheter is introduced percutaneously. Angioplasty has been performed in 26 patients in this manner, without complications.