Bilateral selective internal mammary artery angiography via right radial approach: clinical experience with newly designed Yumiko catheter.

The radial artery has been increasingly used as a primary access site for coronary angiography and intervention. But the technique for internal mammary artery (IMA) visualization via the right radial artery has not been well described. Therefore, the study was conducted to investigate the feasibility, safety, and adequacy of selective bilateral IMA angiography via the right radial artery using the recently developed Yumiko catheter. From November 1999 to October 2000, both IMA angiographies were undertaken immediately following the diagnostic coronary angiogram taken from right transradial approach in 114 patients. IMA angiography was successfully obtained in 99% (113/114) patients. For left IMA angiography, 73 (64%), 28 (25%), and 12 (11%) imagings were obtained in a selective, a semiselective, and a nonselective way, respectively. After initial periods of 33 left-IMA-only imaging, right IMA angiography was obtained in 81 patients (phase 2). Selective right IMA imaging was done in 73 (90%), semiselective in 6, and nonselective in 2 patients. The reasons for failure of selective or semiselective visualization were severe vascular tortuosity, far distal anatomical origin of left IMA and ulcerative plaque, or acutely angled left subclavian artery. The feasibility and safety of selective and semiselective bilateral IMA angiography were demonstrated using a 5 Fr Yumiko catheter from the right radial approach. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:19-24.     

Cannulation of a LIMA graft via the right brachial arterial route using a MANI catheter: an alternative approach

Some different revascularization methods including coronary artery bypass surgery can be performed in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Saphenous vein grafts and/or arterial grafts including left internal mammary artery (LIMA) can be implanted during coronary bypass surgery. It is necessary to perform cannulation of the LIMA, in order to diagnose and treat these patients. In addition to conventional internal mammary artery catheters, several types of catheters can be used for this purpose. In general, LIMA catheterization via the femoral artery has been preferred over other methods. However, the right brachial arterial approach can be mandatory in some rare conditions. In this report, we describe an alternative method to the conventional techniques of the LIMA graft angiography via the right brachial arterial approach using a MANI catheter. According to our knowledge, no data are available using the MANI catheter for this purpose in the current literature.     

Brachial approach directional coronary atherectomy of a left coronary artery saphenous vein bypass graft

Directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) of a saphenous vein bypass graft to the left coronary artery was performed percutaneously from the brachial artery approach using a 7F endomyocardial biopsy sheath. Initial positioning was accomplished with a left bypass graft catheter inserted in the sheath. This technique permits use of smaller catheters than usual for DCA in patients in whom larger guides cannot be used. © 1993 Wiiey-Liss, Inc.     

Brachial approach directional coronary atherectomy of right coronary artery saphenous vein bypass grafts

We describe here a technique for performing directional coronary atherectomy to right coronary artery saphenous vein bypass grafts from the brachial approach using a long introducer sheath system. This technique has the advantages of (1) avoiding femoral artery trauma and (2) ease of access into the bypass graft, avoiding occasional problems with guide catheter kinking or non-coaxial alignment.     

Treatment for LMCA ostial stenosis using a bifurcation technique with a retrograde approach

A 69‐year‐old man who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in February 2008. The surgery included grafting of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the diagonal branch (D1) and a saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the left circumflex artery (LCX) due to ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The patient presented with recurring effort chest pain 18 months later. Coronary CT revealed that the LITA‐D1 graft was patent, the SVG‐LCX graft was occluded, and there was severe ostial stenosis of the LMCA. Coronary angiography was performed in August 2009, but a 5‐Fr diagnostic catheter could not be engaged due to the severe ostial stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed 5 days later with an attempt to cross the lesion with a guidewire using a retrograde approach through the LITA‐D1 graft. However, the guidewire could not be crossed using a conventional technique due to the extreme angulation of the LITA‐D1 anastomosis. Therefore, we attempted to use a reversed guidewire technique. After crossing the LMCA ostial lesion the retrograde wire was snared through antegradely for insertion of the guiding catheter via the right brachial artery. We were able to engage the guiding catheter in the left coronary artery and implant the stent successfully using the antegrade approach. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Brachial artery catheterization employing a side arm sheath

A major complication of left heart catheterization via the brachial artery is occlusion at the cutdown site. This is particularly a problem when patients with severe atherosclerosis are catheterized in laboratories where the brachial approach is not routinely used. A method of brachial artery catheterization is described which employs a continuously flushed side arm sheath in order to minimize local trauma to the artery from catheter exchange and manipulation. In 15 consecutive atherosclerotic patients catheterized by this method there were no complications, and all arteriotomies were closed easily with immediate restoration of a good radial pulse. This contrasts with the preceding 33 consecutive brachial catherizations employing standard technique in similar patients in whom four patients required surgical repair, and an additional six patients required more than one closure attempt and/or catheter thrombectomy to restore a good pulse. In our laboratory the brachial sheath technique has facilitated arterial repair and reduced local complications.     

The YUMIKO™ catheter: a useful tool for angiography of the right internal mammary artery via a right brachial approach

The YUMIKO? catheter (Goodman, Nagoya, Japan) was recently developed for a left internal mammary artery (IMA) angiography with a right radial or brachial approach. The present authors experienced an interesting case where the YUMIKO catheter was useful for a right IMA angiography via a right brachial artery. A 53-year-old man with bilateral IMA grafts underwent follow-up coronary angiography via a right brachial artery. Native coronary artery and left IMA angiography were performed without difficulty using the Judkins Right and Left and YUMIKO catheters. Angiography of the right IMA was attempted with the Judkins Right catheter and IMA catheter, resulting in a nonselective angiogram with poor imaging. The YUMIKO catheter, however, enabled smooth cannulation to the right IMA and provided good images of the selective right IMA angiography. (Int J Cardiovasc Intervent 2003; 5: 98-101)     

Percutaneous transradial approach for coronary angiography.

A percutaneous radial artery approach for coronary angiography was performed in 40 patients using a 5-F catheter. The patients, in whom the femoral artery approach was difficult or contraindicated because of advanced arteriosclerosis, were selected on the basis of easily palpable radial and ulnar arteries and a normal Allen test. In 1 patient the catheter could not be advanced to the brachial artery, and subsequently this patient underwent the brachial approach. In all 39 patients, selective left coronary angiography was accomplished using a left Judkins catheter, and the right coronary artery and the saphenous vein graft were entered successfully using a right Judkins or Amplatz catheter. All patients had excellent quality of images of coronaries and vein grafts. In 5 patients (13%), the pulse remained acutely diminished, but there were no evidences or complaints of pain. Bleeding at the puncture site occurred in 1 patient (3%), and 5 patients (13%) had subcutaneous bleeding around the puncture site. Pseudoaneurysm, nerve injury and arteriovenous fistula were not detected at the time of discharge.     

The brachial artery method to transluminal internal mammary artery angioplasty

A new catheter technique to perform angioplasty of the right or left internal mammary artery coronary graft utilizing the brachial artery approach is described. Utilization of the ipsilateral brachial artery permitted cannulation of the internal mammary artery with preformed polyurethane Teflon-lined guide catheters. The coronary dilatation catheter was passed through the guiding catheter into the internal mammary artery. This technique permitted successful access into the ipsilateral mammary artery in eight patients, the left internal mammary artery graft in five and the right in three patients. The angioplasty procedure was successfully performed in seven of eight cases (spasm of the left internal mammary artery precluded successful dilatation catheter passage in one case). No brachial artery complications were encountered. In two cases, angioplasty was successfully performed in additional coronary vessels. Follow-up of 1-16 months (mean: 7.7 months) revealed no clinical evidence of restenosis. The ipsilateral brachial artery approach utilizing preshaped guiding catheters for visualization and introduction of dilatation catheters into the internal mammary artery graft is a safe and successful approach, and it is an acceptable alternative to the femoral technique.     

Angiography of the internal mammary artery via the contralateral brachial artery

A new technique for angiography of the contralateral internal mammary artery via the brachial artery approach is described. A Simmons (sidewinder) catheter is maneuvered into the ascending aorta and is rotated as to assume its performed shape. The catheter is advanced into the contralateral subclavian artery beyond the internal mammary artery. With the aid of an exchange wire, the Simmons catheter is replaced with a preformed internal mammary angiographic catheter. The internal mammary artery is cannulated, and angiography is performed. Fifty patients were successfully studied by means of this technique without incident. In 20 cases, the ipsilateral internal mammary artery was subsequently visualized. Brachial angiographers may prefer to add this technique to their repertoire.     

Percutaneous angioplasty of internal mammary artery graft stenosis using the brachial approach: a case report

Cannulation of the internal mammary artery (IMA) via the ipsilateral brachial approach offers a complementary alternative to the transfemoral approach for IMA graft angioplasty and can offer potential advantage in terms of catheter stability and ease of IMA cannulation. This report describes successful IMA graft stenosis angioplasty using the ipsilateral brachial approach.     

经造影导管局部给药对桡动脉痉挛的预防作用

目的：探讨经造影导管肱动脉注射硝酸甘油对经桡动脉冠状动脉介入治疗（TRI）中桡动脉痉挛（RAS）的预防效果。方法连续入选TRI冠状动脉造影（CAG）成功并需行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）[包括经皮穿刺冠状动脉腔内成形术和（或）支架置入术]患者810例,其中试验组413例,对照组397例。试验组当造影导管回撤到达肱动脉水平时经造影导管注射硝酸甘油稀释液400μg（稀释至100μg/ml）,对照组在造影导管抽出后经由鞘管侧管注射硝酸甘油400μg（稀释至100μg/ml）,比较两组患者在指引导管送入过程中的RAS发生率。结果试验组较对照组RAS发生率降低,差异有统计学意义（18%比33%,P=0.021）。结论经造影导管肱动脉注射硝酸甘油能降低TRI中RAS的发生率。     

Nonselective angiography of the internal mammary artery: A fast,reliable, and safe technique

Selective cannulation of the mammary artery can be time consuming and carries a risk of arterial injury. The nonselective technique described here is faster, safer, and as reliable as the standard selective technique. A consecutive series of patients with previous coronary atery bypass graft surgery (CABG) were randomized to undergo either selective or nonselective mammary artery angiography. Selective angiography was performed using the standard selective technique. Nonselective angiography was performed by placing a standard catheter in the subclavian artery and hand injecting 10 ml of contrast while inflating a blood pressure cuff 10 mm above the systolic pressure in the ipsilateral arm. Fifty-six patients were studied, 30 patients selectively, and 26 patients nonselectively. The time to visualize adequately both native and grafted mammary arteries in the selective group was 4.83 + 5.00 min and in the nonselective group 1.76 + 1.16 minutes (P = 0.006). A nonselective technique for visualizing the mammary artery is significantly faster and as reliable as the standard selective technique. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Feasibility and safety of concomitant left internal mammary arteriography at the setting of the right transradial coronary angiography.

We investigated the feasibility and safety of concomitant left internal mammary artery (LIMA) angiography at the setting of the right transradial coronary angiography (TRCA). LIMA angiography was performed using a 5 Fr Simmons-type catheter with a newly modified tip in 184 consecutive patients. The catheter was reformed in the descending (new method) or ascending (traditional method) aorta and manipulated to cannulate the left subclavian artery and LIMA orifice. LIMA angiography was performed selectively in 164 patients (89%) and semiselectively (when the catheter tip reached and was directed to the mammary artery orifice) in 20 patients. There were no procedure-related complications. The image quality of all the semiselective angiograms was also determined satisfactory. Total procedural time was 223 +/- 168 sec. The catheter was reformed using the new method in 160 patients (87%). The catheter reformation time and total procedure time were significantly shorter with the new method than with the traditional method (18 +/- 8 vs. 117 +/- 115 sec, p = 0.000; 204 +/- 191 vs. 309 +/- 139 sec, p = 0.021, respectively). In conclusion, LIMA angiography can be performed readily and safely at the setting of the right TRCA using a Simmons-type catheter. The image quality of the LIMA angiograms is sufficient to obviate the need of the second preoperative angiography via another route.     

Postoperative angiographic evaluation of gastroepiploic artery grafts: technical considerations and short-term patency

Follow-up angiography was performed in 37 patients with right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) grafts at 27 +/- 32 days postoperatively. By the femoral approach, a 5F cobra or twist catheter was advanced selectively into the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) over a plastic-coated guidewire. In 29 patients, the GDA was successfully catheterized, and the GEA grafts were clearly visualized by the injection of 3-7 ml of contrast medium. GDA catheterization was unsuccessful in 8 patients, but in 4 of them the grafts were well visualized when 15-20 ml of contrast was injected. In the other 4 patients, visualization of the GEA grafts was poor, but the distal portions were outlined by retrograde perfusion from the native right coronary arteries. A total of 34 GEA grafts were patent (92%), and the diameters of these grafts were adequate when compared with respective recipient coronary arteries (2.8 +/- 0.9 and 2.3 +/- 0.6 mm, respectively; P less than .05). No complications were noted except for transient vasospasm (3 patients) in the GEA, hepatic artery, or both, which was relieved by the intra-arterial injection of isosorbide dinitrate (2.5 mg). Thus, the over-the-wire technique allows simple and safe GDA catheterization, which is essential for obtaining good visualization of GEA grafts.     

Allen试验阴性患者经肱动脉和股动脉冠状动脉造影的对比研究

目的探讨经肱动脉和股动脉途径冠脉造影的优缺点。方法选择我院行冠脉造影的患者60例,均为Allen试验阴性患者,随机分为肱动脉组和股动脉组,每组30例,比较两组的穿刺成功率、造影成功率、手术操作时间、曝光时间、术后压迫时间及术后并发症。结果与股动脉组比较,肱动脉组术后平均压迫时间明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),且患者无需卧床。而两组在穿刺成功率、造影成功率、手术操作时间、曝光时间等方面差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论对于Allen试验阴性不能经桡动脉穿刺的患者,包括桡动脉痉挛或闭塞的患者,经肱动脉行冠状动脉造影是安全可靠的替代方法,避免了股动脉穿刺后长时间卧床。     

Occasional-operator percutaneous brachial coronary angiography: first, do no arm.

The percutaneous brachial approach to coronary angiography is perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be the easiest of the arm approaches. Predominantly femoral operators may therefore be encouraged to use the percutaneous brachial approach as an occasional procedure. We decided to investigate prospectively whether this was a reasonable strategy by examining outcome in patients who underwent percutaneous brachial cardiac catheterization by occasional brachial operators. Between October 1997 and 2000, 55 patients underwent percutaneous brachial coronary angiography (0.6% of coronary angiographies), aged 66 +/- 10 years, of whom 40 (73%) were male. Chief indications for a brachial approach were peripheral vascular disease in 35 (64%), failed femoral approach in 10 (18%), and orthopnoea in 5 (9%). The procedure was completed successfully in 46 patients (84%). Reasons for failure were failure of access (two), brachial artery spasm (one), inability to negotiate brachial/subclavian tortuosity (two), dissection of the brachial artery (two), and inability to intubate a vein graft (two). Six patients required catheterization from an alternative site (brachial arteriotomy in two, percutaneous transradial in two, femoral in two), with success in all. There were complications of varying severity in 20 patients (36%). Major complications were false aneurysm requiring surgical repair (one), large brachial hematoma requiring surgical exploration and arterial repair (one), and hematoma with clinical median nerve dysfunction for one month. Minor complications included need for repeat coronary angiography via alternative approach (six), weakness of radial pulse < 24 hr (two), brachial artery dissection without clinical sequelae (two), brachial artery spasm terminating procedure (one), and wound oozing (three). Percutaneous brachial coronary angiography is a hazardous procedure when undertaken by occasional brachial operators. Complications are unacceptably frequent. As with all practical procedures, complication rates are likely to be inversely proportional to operator volumes. Patients requiring an arm approach should be referred to operators with high-volume brachial or radial experience.     

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography using 5 french preformed (Judkins) catheters from the percutaneous right brachial approach: A comparative analysis with the femoral approach

This study describes a method for the performance of cardiac catheterization using 5 French preformed Judkins catheters from a percutaneous right brachial approach, and compares that technique to the more traditional percutaneous right femoral approach with 6 French catheters. One hundred consecutive patients requiring diagnostic left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography were randomized according to femoral versus brachial arterial technique. Procedural efficiency, radiation exposure, and diagnostic film quality favored the femoral approach, while patient comfort, hemostasis time, time to ambulation, and decreased need for post-procedure nursing care favored the brachial approach. No differences were identified in complications. Cardiac catheterization from a right brachial artery percutaneous approach with 5 French preformed catheters has both advantages and disadvantages when compared with a more traditional femoral approach with 6 French catheters. Multiple factors should be considered before selecting an approach to diagnostic cardiac catheterization and each patient should be individually evaluated for determination of the optimal technique. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Percutaneous brachial catheterization using a modified sheath and new catheter system

An alternative method for left heart catheterization via the brachial artery, without cutdown, is described. Percutaneous brachial catheterization was done with a modified 7F side-arm sheath with check valve. A modified 7F high flow catheter was developed employing characteristics of both multipurpose and Sones catheters. The technique was used in 100 patients for left heart catheterization, in patients with and without aortic valve disease, for left ventricular angiography and selective coronary angiography. There were no failures or serious complications. All puncture sites were managed with 15-20 minutes of compression using only a blood pressure cuff or finger pressure. Bleeding was controlled with restoration of the radial pulse in all but one patient, who had severe peripheral brachial atherosclerosis. Cutdown and thrombectomy performed before he left the laboratory using standard catheterization techniques promptly restored blood flow. It is our impression that this technique facilitated outpatient catheterizations, repeat catheterizations at sites of previous cutdowns, and reduced patient discomfort.     

Experience with preformed catheters for coronary angiography by the brachial approach.

Experience with a simplified technique for selective coronary angiography by the brachial cutdown approach using preformed coronary catheters in over 500 cases is described. This technique has facilitated selective catheterization of the coronary arteries in patients where use of the Sones catheter has proven difficult or impossible. Particularly, coronary arteries in patients with a dilated aortic root, high-rising left coronary artery or tortuous subclavian artery are easily catheterized with the preformed catheters described in this report. Shortened procedure time, an acceptable morbidity (1.4%) and mortality (0.2%), and improved coronary opacification by virtue of the ease in selectively entering the coronary ostia make these preformed catheters a useful modification to coronary angiography by the transbrachial approach.