Percutaneous entry of the brachial artery for left heart catheterization using a sheath: further experience.

Left heart catheterization via percutaneous entry of the brachial artery was attempted in 1,783 cases. A plain sheath without valve or side-port was employed and 7 and 8 French Sones catheters were used for females and males, respectively. Successful performance of the procedure was achieved in 96.5% of the cases. Brachial artery occlusion occurred in 1.3% of the cases and was readily correctable. There were no major complications attributable to the method of brachial artery entry. This technique has advantages over the standard Sones technique employing cutdown and arteriotomy, and may be the preferred method of left heart catheterization by way of the upper extremity.