RAOLA Observational: Local Anesthesia During Cardiac Catheterization

A total of 800 consecutive patients, who are referred for elective coronary angiography to 1st Cardiology Department cathlab, with the suspicion of coronary artery disease (CAD) will be enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria are acute coronary syndrome, previous ipsilateral transradial approach, Raynaud's syndrome, abnormal renal function with or without need for hemodialysis, known history of sensitivity to local anesthetics, non-palpable radial pulse, abnormal Barbeau's test and patient's refusal. Baseline clinical, demographic and procedural data of the study population will be recorded.

The study will not involve any intervention but it will observe patients assigned to other EMLA cream or lidocaine injection for local anesthesia as part of their clinical routine treatment during transradial catherization.

Primary end-point: the perception of radial pain assessed during artery puncture and 30 minutes after sheath removal. Secondary end-point: The number of puncture attempts, the total time required before successful sheath insertion, and the occurrence of radial artery spasm will be also documented in each group Participants will be observed for 4 hours post angiography for development of local complications or side effects.

Inclusion criteria

• patients, referred for elective diagnostic coronary angiography

Exclusion criteria

• acute coronary syndrome
• previous ipsilateral transradial approach
• Raynaud's syndrome
• abnormal renal function with or without need for hemodialysis
• known history of sensitivity to local anesthetics
• non-palpable radial pulse, abnormal Barbeau's test
• patient's refusal