Left Distal Transradial Access (ldTRA): A Comparative Assessment of Conventional and Distal Radial Artery Size

Purpose To assess left radial artery size, technical feasibility and safety of ldTRA in the anatomical snuffbox for percutaneous image-guided procedures. Materials and Methods A retrospective single-center study was performed from November 2016 to June 2018 on all patients undergoing ldTRA for interventional radiology procedures. Results A total of 287 patients (91 female and 196 male), aged 18-94 years (mean age 64 years), were included. 389 procedures were performed which included hepatic chemoembolization (n = 161), selective internal radiation therapy Y-90 mapping (n = 74), selective internal radiation therapy Y-90 administration (n = 48), diagnostic angiography (n = 34), mesenteric and pelvic embolization (n = 59), stent insertion (n = 8) and miscellaneous (n = 5). Mean sonographic measurement of the left radial artery size at the conventional site at the wrist was 2.55 mm (range 1.4-3.3 mm) and 2.34 mm (range 1.4-3.2 mm) at the anatomical snuffbox (p < 0.001). Technical success rate was 100%, a single small hematoma occurred in the first patient (0.3%). 74.2% of patients had follow-up for radial artery patency (mean 46 days, range 0-66 days), which did not reveal radial artery occlusions or pseudoaneurysm formation. Conclusion The left distal radial artery in the anatomical snuffbox is smaller in comparison with the conventional access site at the wrist. The difference however is small and does not require intentional downsizing of vascular access equipment to facilitate utilization of ldTRA. Assessment of the vessel size is imperative for appropriate equipment selection and optimizing procedural success. This study supports that ldTRA is technically feasible and safe.