Chronic radial artery occlusion does not cause exercise induced hand ischemia

The Role of Ultrasound Examination in the Assessment of Suitability of Calcified Arteries for Vascular Access Creation-Mini Review

Arterial calcifications are present in 20-40% of patients with end-stage kidney disease and are more frequent among the elderly and diabetics. They reduce the possibility of arterio-venous fistula (AVF) formation and maturation and increase the likelihood of complications, especially distal ischemia. This review focuses on methods for detecting arterial calcifications and assessing the suitability of calcified arteries for providing inflow before the construction of an AVF. The importance of a clinical examination is stressed. A grading system is proposed for quantifying the severity of calcifications in the arteries of the arm with B-mode and Doppler ultrasound exams. Functional tests to assess the suitability of the artery to provide adequate inflow to the AVF are discussed, including Doppler indices (peak systolic velocity and resistive index during reactive hyperemia). Possible predictors of the development of distal ischemia are discussed (finger pressure, digital brachial index, acceleration and acceleration time), as well as the outcomes of AVFs placed on calcified arteries. It is concluded that a noninvasive ultrasound examination is probably the best tool for a morphologic and functional assessment of the arteries. An arterial assessment is of utmost importance if we are to create distal radiocephalic AVFs in our elderly patients whenever possible without burdening them with futile surgical attempts.

Distal vs Conventional Radial Access for Coronary Angiography and/or Intervention: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing distal radial access (DRA) with conventional radial access (RA) is available.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative appraisal of the effects of DRA) vs conventional RA for coronary angiography with or without intervention.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for RCT comparing DRA vs conventional RA for coronary angiography and/or intervention. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using a random-effects model. The primary endpoint was radial artery occlusion (RAO) at the longest available follow-up.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies enrolling 6,208 participants were included. Compared with conventional RA, DRA was associated with a significant lower risk of RAO, either detected at latest follow-up (risk ratio [RR]: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.23-0.56; P < 0.001; number needed to treat [NNT] = 30) or in-hospital (RR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.19-0.53; P < 0.001; NNT = 28), as well as EASY (Early Discharge After Transradial Stenting of Coronary Arteries) ≥II hematoma (RR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.27-0.96; P = 0.04; NNT = 107). By contrast, DRA was associated with a higher risk of access site crossover (RR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.88-5.06; P < 0.001; NNT = 12), a longer time for radial puncture (standardized mean difference [SMD]: 3.56; 95% CI: 0.96-6.16; P < 0.001), a longer time for sheath insertion (SMD: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16-0.58; P < 0.001), and a higher number of puncture attempts (SMD: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.48-0.69; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with conventional RA, DRA is associated with lower risks of RAO and EASY ≥II hematoma but requires longer time for radial artery cannulation and sheath insertion, more puncture attempts, and a higher access site crossover.

Simultaneous Radial and Ipsilateral Ulnar Artery Compression versus Isolated Radial Artery Compression after Conventional Radial Access for Coronary Angiography and/or Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Simultaneous ulnar and radial artery compression (SURC) has emerged as a strategy to increase radial artery flow and mitigate radial artery occlusion (RAO) while achieving adequate hemostasis after transradial access (TRA), though its technical adoption has been limited worldwide. Methods: A systematic search of studies comparing SURC versus isolated radial artery compression after TRA for coronary angiography and/or intervention was performed. Data were pooled by meta-analysis using random-effects models. Odds ratios (OR) with relative 95% confidence intervals (CI) and standardized mean difference were used as measures of effect estimates. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of overall RAO. Results: A total of 6 studies and 6793 patients were included. SURC method as compared to isolated radial artery compression was associated with a lower risk of RAO both overall (OR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.13−0.61, p < 0.001; number needed to treat to benefit [NNTB] =38) and in-hospital (OR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.75; p = 0.01, NNTB = 36), with a reduced risk of unsuccessful patent hemostasis (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.85; p = 0.03, NNT = 5) and upper extremity pain (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95; p = 0.04, NNTB = 124). No significant difference was observed in hemostasis time and in the risk of hematoma. Conclusion: Compared to isolated radial artery compression, SURC is associated with lower risk of RAO, unsuccessful patent hemostasis, and reported upper limb pain, without any trade-off in safety outcomes. With further development of dedicated dual compression devices, the proposed technique should be freed from usage constraints.

Study on Influencing Factors of Radial Artery Occlusion after Repeated Right Radial Artery Coronary Intervention

Objective

To investigate the risk factors of radial artery obstruction after repeated right radial coronary interventions.

Methods

497 patients who underwent repeated coronary intervention via the right radial artery in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2021 were selected and followed up for 28.07 ± 6.07 months. According to whether the right radial artery was obstructed or not, they were divided into radial artery occlusion group (n = 48) and nonradial artery occlusion group (n = 449).

Results

The proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus, elevated D-dimer, and elevated LDL cholesterol was higher in the radial artery occlusion group than in the nonradial artery occlusion group (p < 0.05). The radial artery occlusion group had more passage through the right radial artery often and had a longer cumulative sheath retention time than the radial artery occlusion group (p < 0.05). Cumulative sheath retention time (hours) had a high predictive value for radial artery occlusion. The optimal diagnostic limit for radial artery occlusion was 2.75 h, with a sensitivity of 77.1% and a specificity of 79.5% (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Diabetes mellitus, elevated D-dimer, elevated LDL cholesterol, and long retention sheath time predispose to radial artery occlusion. Cumulative duration of sheath retention is a predictor of radial artery occlusion.

International Hand Function Study Following Distal Radial Access: The RATATOUILLE Study

BACKGROUND

Distal radial access (DRA) has been proposed to improve procedure ergonomics and favor radial artery patency. Although promising data, nothing is known on evolving hand function after DRA.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to comprehensively evaluate hand function in patients undergoing DRA.

METHODS

Real-world patients undergoing DRA undertook a thorough multimodality assessment of hand function implementing multidomain questionnaires (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and Levine-Katz), and motor (pinch grip test) and sensory (Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments test) examinations of both hands. All assessments were performed at preprocedural baseline and planned at 1-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up (FU). Adverse clinical and procedural events were documented too.

RESULTS

Data of 313 patients (220 men, age 66 ± 10 years) from 9 international centers were analyzed. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and the Levine-Katz scores slightly improved from baseline to FU (P = 0.008 and P = 0.029, respectively). Pinch strength mildly improved from baseline to FU (P < 0.001 for both the left and right hands). Similarly, touch pressure threshold appeared to faintly improve in both the left and right hands (P < 0.012 for all the sites). For both motor and sensory function tests, comparable findings were found for the DRA hand and the contralateral one, with no significant differences between them. Repeated assessment of all tests over all FU time points similarly showed lack of worsening hand function. Access-related adverse events included 19 harmless bleedings and 3 forearm radial artery and 3 distal radial artery occlusions. None affected hand function at FU.

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic multidimensional assessment, DRA was not associated with hand function impairment. Moreover, DRA emerges as a safe alternative vascular access.

Comparison of the Safety, Efficacy, and Procedural Characteristics Associated with Proximal and Distal Radial Access for Diagnostic Cerebral Angiography

OBJECTIVES

Radial access is an increasingly popular approach for performing cerebral angiography. There are two sites for radial artery puncture: proximal transradial access (pTRA) in the wrist and distal transradial access (dTRA) in the snuffbox. These approaches have not been directly compared.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive diagnostic cerebral angiograms performed at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes included fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, contrast volume, time to obtain access, procedure duration, and time to discharge home. Success rates as well as minor and major complication rates associated with each approach were also compared. Multivariate linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between access site and outcomes while adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 287 angiograms on 244 patients met the inclusion criteria. pTRA was associated with shorter fluoroscopy time (ß -2.54, 95% CI -4.18 - -0.9, p = 0.003) and lower radiation dose (ß -242.89, 95% CI -351.55 - -134.24, p < 0.001), but not contrast volume. Time to obtain access, procedure duration, and time to discharge home were similar between approaches. A total of 10 minor complications occurred with similar rates for each approach (8 for dTRA, 2 for pTRA, p = 0.168) and there were no major complications. The conversion rate to femoral access was low (1.05% overall) and did not differ with approach.

CONCLUSION

dTRA and pTRA are associated with similarly high rates of safety and efficacy. Procedure duration, time to obtain access, and time to discharge did not differ between approaches.

Distal Radial Access: Consensus Report of the First Korea-Europe Transradial Intervention Meeting

Among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary procedures, transradial access, compared with transfemoral access, is associated with a reduced risk for complications including mortality, especially in higher risk patients. However, transradial access is limited by radial artery occlusion (RAO) that despite being mostly asymptomatic because of the extensive anastomoses between the forearm arteries restricts future use of the same radial artery. Distal radial access (DRA) in the anatomic snuffbox or on the dorsum of the hand has recently gained global popularity as an alternative access route for vascular procedures. A strong anatomic and physiological rationale yields potential for significantly reduced risk for RAO and positive impact on procedural outcome for better patient care. Indeed, currently published studies buttress very low rates of RAO after DRA, hence supporting its development. The authors provide an analysis of the foundation of DRA, provide historical background, and offer a critical review of its current status and future directions. Also, given the limited evidence currently available to properly perform DRA in the real world, consensus opinion on what is considered optimal practice is also presented to supplement this document and enhance the implementation of DRA while minimizing its complications.

Collateral Circulation Testing of the Hand- Is it Relevant Now? A Narrative Review

Testing for collateral circulation of the hand before any radial artery procedure has been a subject of many controversies. Neither the Allen's test (AT) nor the plethysmography based Barbeau test, adequately and reliably test for collateral circulation. With growing interest in radial approaches for vascular procedures, its common use for arterial monitoring and blood gas sampling, there has been a growing interest in the relevance of assessing collateral hand circulation. Multiple studies now refute the utility of collateral testing, yet it continues to be propagated as an essential triaging assessment tool by educators. Allen's, or modified Allen tests (MAT) are operator dependent and often subjected to observational bias. Barbeau test is more objective, however, it fails to show added benefit in assessing pre-procedural patency. Despite studies questioning the validity of collateral circulation assessment, these tests continue to preclude radial approach. There is no standardization for being considered an abnormal test across literature and the significance of an abnormal test translating into a clinical outcome has not been investigated in prior studies. This may be attributed to the robust vascular supply of the hand, connections at the digital circulation level and vessel recruitment in an event of occlusion. We reviewed this topic extensively and make an argument that non-invasive collateral testing should be abandoned as a triage tool for radial artery procedures such as arterial punctures, arterial monitoring, and transradial vascular procedures.

ACRA Perfusion Study

BACKGROUND

Transradial intervention (TRI) may impair digital perfusion with hand dysfunction as a result. However, the effect of TRI on digital perfusion has never been investigated, including the influence of variations of the collateral arterial network and the effect on hand dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We investigated the effect of TRI on digital perfusion by laser Doppler perfusion imaging. Laser Doppler perfusion imaging was performed at baseline, during radial access, TR band application, and at discharge. We compared tissue perfusion of the homolateral thumb (access site) with the contralateral thumb (comparator) during radial access as primary outcome. The hand circulation was assessed with angiography. Upper extremity function was evaluated with the validated QuickDASH questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. A significant reduction of tissue perfusion was observed during radial access and TR band application in the homolateral thumb (-32%, -32%, respectively) and contralateral thumb (-34%, -21%, respectively). We detected no perfusion difference between the homolateral and contralateral thumb during radial access (217; interquartile range, 112-364 versus 209; interquartile range, 99-369 arbitrary flux units; P=0.59). Reduced perfusion of the thumb during radial access was not associated with incompleteness of the superficial palmar arch ( P=0.13). Digital perfusion improved at discharge, though it remained below baseline levels (homolateral -11% and contralateral -14%). Hand dysfunction at 18 months was not associated with TRI-induced perfusion reduction ( P=0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

TRI is safe. Digital perfusion is reduced in both hands during radial access and TR band application but is not associated with future loss of hand function and variations of the arterial hand supply.