Assessment and comparison of distal radial artery diameter in anatomical snuff box with conventional radial artery before coronary catheterization

Background: The distal radial artery (dRA) approach at anatomical snuff box has gained attention of the interventional cardiologist in last few years. The procedural success rate by this novel approach depends on size of the radial artery and therefore the study was planned to study the size of distal radial artery. Methods: Total of 1004 patients of >18 years of age undergoing coronary catheterization were included in the study. The vessel diameter was measured from media to media in the anatomical snuff box a day prior to coronary catheterization. Results: The mean diameter of right radial artery at conventional access site was 2.56 ± 0.35 mm and at distal access site 2.23 ± 0.39 mm (p < 0.001). Females had significantly smaller radial artery diameter as compared to males at right conventional access site (2.42 ± 0.36 mm vs 2.60 ± 0.34 mm; p < 0.001) and distal access site (2.09 ± 0.38 mm vs 2.27 ± 0.39 mm; p < 0.001). The diameter of the right dRA was not significantly correlated with age (r2 linear ¼ 0.002, p ¼ 0.0475) but was positively correlated with height and weight (r2 linear ¼ 0.076, p ¼ <0.001 and r2 linear ¼ 0.005, p ¼ <0.001) and negatively correlated with BMI (r2 linear ¼ 0.076, p ¼ 0.519). Conclusions: This study has shown the size of right dRA 2.27 þ 0.39 mm in males and 2.09 þ 0.38 mm in females. Diabetes, hypertension, height and weight are important predictors of dRA diameter

Radial Artery: Anatomical Variations At Wrist And Clinical Significance

Background: Knowledge regarding the course and termination of the radial artery before harvesting it for coronaryartery bypass graft surgery (CABGS) is important. The brachial artery terminates at the neck of radius into radialand ulnar arteries.Purpose of the study: To know the various patterns of anomalous division ofthe radial artery.Methods: The study included 50 upper limb specimens from the Department of Anatomy, Sree Narayana Instituteof Medical Sciences, Ernakulam. The specimens were fixed with 10% formalin solution and the radial artery wasexposed from its origin till termination and observations were noted down.Results: The present study revealed that, radial artery usually was arising from brachial artery at the level ofneck of radius. The variants observed included high bifurcation of brachial artery, division of radial artery intopalmar and dorsal branches in the forearm and anomalous course of radial artery in the region of anatomicalsnuff box.Conclusion: The present study has revealed the anomalous division and course of radial artery around the wristand anatomical snuff box and the knowledge of such anomalous course is important for diagnostic, interventionaland surgical procedures.

A Variant Extensor Pollicis Brevis Crossing the Anatomical Snuff Box / 계명의대학술지

During an educational dissection, accessory tendon of the extensor pollicis brevis muscle was found on the left side in a Korean cadaver. The abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, and extensor pollicis longus muscles showed normal morphology and course: however, narrow muscle belly originated between the extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus muscles. It crossed the anatomical snuff box and then inserted on the base of the distal phalanx of the thumb. The author describes this previously novel case report and discusses the clinical implications of such a variant.