462-55 |Duplex Ultrasound Assessment of Radial Artery Access Site: Complications and Clinical Outcomes-Duplex Ultrasound Assessment of Radial Artery Access Site: Complications and Clinical Outcomes

Duplex Ultrasound Assessment of Radial Artery Access Site: Complications and Clinical Outcomes

Pdf Summary

This study aimed to analyze the frequency of complications and short-term implications of radial artery access (RAA) for hemodynamic monitoring and left heart catheterization. The study reviewed cases referred for upper extremity arterial duplex (UEAD) exams based on abnormal clinical findings after RAA. Out of 131 patients referred for UEAD, 90 had abnormal findings. A-line placement for hemodynamic monitoring was associated with a higher incidence of complications compared to left heart catheterization (LHC) via RAA. Patients on antiplatelet therapy were less likely to have abnormal findings on UEAD. Six patients required surgical intervention, with five after A-line placement and one after LHC. There was no significant relationship between presence of abnormal UEAD findings and the specialty or level of training of the operator, number of attempts, usage of ultrasound guidance, or catheter indwelling time. Among patients who underwent LHC, there was no relationship between a positive UEAD finding and the size of the sheath used. The study concluded that complications after RAA are uncommon and rarely require surgery. Follow-up UEAD studies may be useful to assess long-term patency of the radial artery for future access or coronary artery bypass grafting. More prospective studies are needed to assess the long-term consequences of complications after RAA.

Keywords

radial artery access

hemodynamic monitoring

left heart catheterization

complications

abnormal findings

antiplatelet therapy

surgical intervention

operator specialty

long-term patency

prospective studies