Radial Artery Access

There are significant benefits to radial access intervention, namely superior mortality and morbidity Vs femoral access. In addition, there is significant patient preference and reduced nursing time post procedure in comparison to femoral access supporting day case practice.

Interventional oncology routinely involves repeated procedures therefore patient preference is a key factor in access choice. This again supports day case practice with significant patient preference also noted.

The clinical application of the study is to allow a broader spectrum of procedures to be performed via radial access. Currently due to a limited data available on factors effecting radial artery diameter practice there is a restriction on sheath size use. This limits the procedures that can be performed via this route. By assessing the diameter and factors which increase the vessel, larger access sheaths can be used opening up the procedure portfolio including neuro-interventional procedures and coeliac axis stenting. This will allow these procedures to be performed with added benefits of improved mortality/morbidity in addition patient preference.

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18 or over
• All patients undergoing Radial Artery Access requiring interventional radiology.

Exclusion criteria

• Prior history of radial artery occlusion
• Prior history of stroke
• Need for future dialysis access creation or preservation of upper extremity vasculature for patients with chronic kidney disease