Radial Artery Access for Peripheral Vascular Interventions: A Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous radial artery access for lower extremity arterial interventions has increased in popularity in recent years. The purpose of this review is to summarize available data regarding its safety and efficacy.

METHODS

Studies related to the use of the percutaneous radial artery access for peripheral artery intervention were identified in a search of the PubMed database. Outcomes evaluated were access complications and technical success.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies that evaluated patients undergoing percutaneous radial artery access with peripheral interventions were reviewed. Several studies were able to demonstrate use of up to 8Fr sheath; however, the majority was 6Fr. Reported rates of asymptomatic radial artery occlusion ranged up to 16% and reported radial artery access site complication rate ranged from 0 to 15.6%. Technical success ranged from 74 to 98.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous radial artery access can effectively and safely be used in select patients.

Utilisation of Image Guidance to Enhance Safety of Deployment of the Mynx Control Vascular Closure Device

The Mynx Control device (Cardinal Healthcare, Dublin, Ohio, USA) was recently licensed and allows for entirely extravascular arteriotomy closure. It uses a polyethylene glycol sealant plug which is absorbed fully within 30 days, alleviating concerns around difficulties with regaining access in future. The Mynx device uses a balloon, inflated within the artery and retracted against the arteriotomy to achieve haemostasis, with the extravascular sealant plug then deployed outside the vessel wall. While the manufacturer's instructions for use do not include utilisation of imaging guidance, we routinely employ fluoroscopic and/or ultrasound to ensure safe use of the device. These techniques allow confirmation of balloon position against the arteriotomy, hence avoiding inadvertent deployment of the plug partially or fully intraluminally. Visualisation of the balloon within the lumen also eliminates risk of plaque disruption in diseased vessels on retraction of the device. Image guidance adds little time to device deployment, and the safety benefits are such that we recommend that practitioners elsewhere consider adopting our techniques. Here, we describe the process involved in both techniques.