Left radial artery approach for coronary artery intervention

ABSTRACT

To determine the success rate of left radial artery approach for coronary intervention. Descriptive study. Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/ National Institute of Heart Diseases Rawalpindi. Study Period spanned from 15 January 2010 to 15 July 2010. The study was conducted on a total of 41 patients, out of these 41 patients, 25[61%] had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography using left radial artery approach and 16[39%] underwent percutaneus coronary intervention. Left radial artery route was selected after Positive Allen Test. Injection Verapamil 5mg was given through side connection of radial artery sheath to prevent spasm. No conversion to femoral artery route was done, establishing 100% success rate, without any bleeding or haematoma. Left radial artery approach for coronary angiography and percutaneus intervention in convenient and safe for the patient and almost free from major access site complication