Reduction in spasm with a long hydrophylic transradial sheath

Objectives: We aimed to assess the efficiency of a long hydrophilic sheath in reducing radial spasm for transradial approach. Background: Despite a lower access site complication rate, cardiac catheterization using transradial approach is not widely used. Radial spasm is one of the main issues for transradial angiography and percutaneous interventions. We assumed that radial artery protection using a long hydrophilic‐coated sheath would reduce radial spasm compared to a bare short sheath. Methods: Three hundred and fifty one patients (pts) admitted for transradial coronary angiography ± percutaneous coronary interventions were randomly assigned to a long hydrophilic‐coated or a short sheath (control group). Primary end point was the occurrence of a radial spasm defined by significant patient pain evaluated by scale score (>4) or significant catheter frictions during manipulation. Procedure failure, radial occlusion, and local complications were also assessed. Results: Radial spasm was significantly reduced when using the long‐coated compared to the short sheath in 7 (4%) vs. 32 pts (18%) P < 0.001. No difference was found regarding procedure failure respectively 1.2% vs. 0.6%, local complication 0.6% vs. 1.2%, and radial occlusion 3.5% vs. 3.5%. Conclusion: Radial artery protection using the long hydrophilic‐coated sheath was efficient in the prevention of radial spasm for transradial approach. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

经桡动脉介入时桡动脉痉挛的危险因素研究

目的观察经桡动脉介入时,引起桡动脉痉挛的危险因素及临床预后,尤其是与桡动脉闭塞的关系。方法选择择期行经桡动脉冠状动脉造影或介入治疗的患者1427例。术前行双侧桡动脉超声检查。术后1个月随访患者预后情况。根据患者是否发生桡动脉痉挛分为桡动脉痉挛组(112例)和非桡动脉痉挛组(1315例),比较2组术前、术中和术后的差异。结果 112例(7.8%)患者发生桡动脉痉挛。logistic回归分析显示,桡动脉痉挛的独立预测因素为女性、桡动脉直径、糖尿病、反复穿刺和桡动脉变异。术后1个月有1361例患者完成了随访(失访率4.6%),较多桡动脉痉挛患者存在持续前臂中重度疼痛(16.1% vs 6.8%,P=0.001)。结论桡动脉痉挛主要是由桡动脉细小、变异和术中反复穿刺导致。桡动脉痉挛常合并持续前臂疼痛,但并不增加桡动脉闭塞发生率。     

Transradial access in percutaneous coronary interventions

After showing significantly lower complication rates in diagnostic coronary angiography, the radial artery access was successfully introduced as a useful vascular access site for transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in order to enhance patients’ comfort and reduce hospital workload and costs. Moreover, due to the reduced need for antiplatelet therapy cessation as a result of lower bleeding complications, patients treated with transradial access showed a significantly better cardiac outcome in randomized interventional acute coronary syndrome studies. Procedural success and postprocedural radial arteritis or radial occlusions are closely related to anatomical circumstances (e.g., anomalous radial branching patterns, tortuosity, e.g., radial loops and small radial artery diameters), or risk factors for radial spasms (e.g. smoking, anxiety, vessel diameter, age, gender) which can effectively be reduced by the use of smaller catheters (4–5 Fr) and the administration of an adjuvant pharmacological therapy before (3000 U heparin, verapamil, nitroglycerine) and after (ibuprofen) the intervention. For successful radial sheath access and transradial catheterization, it is important to use dedicated radial access needles ≤21-gauge and steel wires ≤0.018 in. In order to pass the brachiocephalic trunk without difficulties or complications and access the ascending aorta, the use of inspiration maneuvers is of central importance.     

经皮穿刺桡动脉冠状动脉造影46例分析

目的 探讨经桡动脉冠状动脉造影的可行性、安全性及评价其效果。方法 经桡动脉冠状动脉造影患者46例，术前常规行改良Allen试验，阳性者行经右桡动脉冠状动脉造影术。结果 手术成功率为95．7％，2例失败，无出血、夹层、血肿等血管并发症发生，术后随访无桡动脉闭塞。结论 经皮穿刺桡动脉冠状动脉造影术是一种安全、可行的冠状动脉介入诊断新途径，具有止血容易、术后无须卧床休息和并发症少的优点。     

Transradial coronary angiography in patients with contraindications to the femoral approach: an analysis of 500 cases.

The transradial approach to coronary angiography is considered by some to be a route of choice, by others to be a route that should be used only where there are relative contraindications to the femoral approach. We present the largest series to date of patients in whom transradial coronary angiography was undertaken specifically because of contraindications to the femoral approach. Since 1995, patients at this cardiothoracic center have been considered for a transradial approach to coronary angiography if there were relative contraindications to the femoral route. Data from 500 patients was prospectively collected. Patients were aged 66 +/- 9 years; 72% were male. Indications for the radial approach included peripheral vascular disease (305), therapeutic anticoagulation (77), musculoskeletal (59), and morbid obesity (32). Sixty-eight patients (14%) required a radial procedure following a failed femoral approach. Access was right radial 291 (58%), left radial 209 (42%). Eighteen operators were involved, but two operators undertook 355 (71%) of the cases. Catheter gauge was 6 Fr (n = 243; 49%), 5 Fr (219; 43%), and 4 Fr (29; 6%). The procedure was successful in 463 cases [92.6%; 88.2% for nonmajority vs. 94.4% (P < 0.05) for the two majority operators]. Success in males (93.6%) significantly exceeded that in females (90.1%; P < 0.05). In-catheter-laboratory duration was 45 +/- 17 min; fluoroscopy time, 7.5 +/- 6 min; radiation dose, 40 +/- 23 CGy. The procedure was without incident in 408 cases (82%). There were procedural difficulties in 18% of cases, including radial artery spasm (12%) and vasovagal response (5%). The incidence was higher with 6 Fr catheters (23%) than with 5/4 Fr (15%; P < 0.05). Major procedural complications occurred in three cases: brachial artery dissection in one and cardiac arrest in two. Postprocedure major vascular complications numbered three: claudicant pain on handgrip in one, ischemic index finger (with subsequent terminal phalanx amputation due to osteomyelitis) in one, and ischemic hand for 4 hr in one. Patients with contraindications to the femoral approach form a high-risk group. In these patients, transradial cardiac catheterization can be performed successfully and with a low risk of major complications. Minor adverse features remain frequent, occurring in one in five cases, though difficulties are minimized both with increasing operator experience and smaller sheath diameter.     

Coronary angiography in the fully anticoagulated patient: the transradial route is successful and safe.

The radial approach to coronary angiography is intuitively attractive for fully anticoagulated patients (INR > 2) but no data exist concerning efficacy or safety of this procedure. The consensus view is that the femoral approach is contraindicated in fully anticoagulated patients, and though some operators undertake femoral catheterization in such patients and use closure devices, there are no data to suggest that it is safe to do so. At our institution, the radial approach for coronary angiography is reserved for patients in whom there is a relative contraindication to the femoral route. We have undertaken over 600 radial coronary angiograms in such patients since 1996, 66 of whom underwent transradial catheterization specifically because of anticoagulation status (INR > 2). Thirty-eight patients (58%) were male, average age 67 +/- 11 years. All 66 patients had an INR > 2 but < 4.5. The approach was left radial in 26 (39%), right radial in the remainder; sheath size was 4 Fr in 4 (6%), 5 Fr in 13 (20%), and 6 Fr in 49 (74%). Seven operators in total were involved, though two operators undertook the majority of cases (47; 71%). Success rate was 97%, with no failure of access, and only one minor postprocedural hemorrhage. Failures were due to radial artery atherosclerosis (1) and subclavian tortuosity (1). The radial approach to coronary angiography is safe and to be recommended in the fully anticoagulated patient.     

应用利多卡因外擦导管减少桡动脉痉挛的临床观察

目的:桡动脉痉挛是经桡动脉路径冠状动脉造影(CAG)和(或)介入治疗(PCI)的常见并发症之一。本研究旨在观察应用利多卡因外擦动脉鞘和造影导管,减少桡动脉痉挛的临床疗效。方法:将连续237例接受经桡动脉路径CAG/PCI的患者随机分为两组,分别于动脉鞘和造影/导引导管插入前应用2%利多卡因溶液(118例,利多卡因组)或0.9%氯化钠溶液(119例,对照组)外擦其表面。主要观察终点:严重桡动脉痉挛(导管推进或操作困难并伴前臂疼痛、桡动脉造影示管腔内径狭窄>70%)发生率。次要终点:前臂出血或血肿、患者不适程度以及操作成功率。结果:利多卡因组5例(4.2%)和对照组16例(13.4%)发生严重桡动脉痉挛(P=0.013);利多卡因组中无一例发生前臂出血或血肿,但对照组中3例前臂轻度出血(表现为造影剂外渗)和1例局部血肿形成,均经局部加压包扎后好转;利多卡因组因疼痛引起的重度不适减少;两组CAG/PCI均成功。结论:CAG/PCI时,应用2%利多卡因溶液外擦动脉鞘和造影/导引导管可能是一种减少严重桡动脉痉挛及其相关并发症的简易方法。     

Entrapment of a kinked catheter in the radial artery during transradial coronary angiography

The transradial approach is currently popular for vascular access during percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention. Catheter kinking during catheter manipulation is not uncommon, but mostly the kinked catheter can be unraveled by gentle rotation of catheter in the opposite direction. We describe a case in which the diagnostic catheter was kinked and entrapped in the small radial artery during transradial angiography. Attempts to withdraw or to unravel the catheter with gentle rotation were unsuccessful. We were able to catch the catheter tip with a 6 Fr Amplatz goose-neck snare kit (ev3, Inc.) guided by an 8 Fr guiding catheter via right femoral approach. We pulled the kinked catheter up into the brachial artery with large diameter where successful unraveling was possible, allowing for its successful removal through the radial sheath.     

Reaccessing an occluded radial artery: a "proximal entry" technique

Radial artery occlusion (RAO) is an infrequent but important consequence of transradial access. It prevents subsequent use of the same radial artery for coronary angiography and intervention. We describe a new "proximal entry" technique in 3 cases of RAO, which allowed successful completion of the procedures. This technique should add to the armamentarium of a radial operator allowing for reaccessing the radial artery. (J Interven Cardiol 2011;24:378-381).     

Impact of radial artery cannulation for coronary angiography and angioplasty on radial artery function

The radial artery is commonly used as a conduit in coronary artery bypass grafting. No data exist on the effects of radial sheath insertion on radial artery function. Because many patients considered for coronary artery bypass grafting have had previous radial procedures, it is important to understand any effects radial sheath insertion may have on radial artery function. Twenty-two patients who underwent elective coronary angiography or angioplasty with a 6Fr sheath through the right radial artery were studied. Radial artery function was assessed using ultrasound to measure flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Reactive hyperemia was produced by 5-minute cuff inflation on the arm to suprasystolic pressures. Radial artery diameter was measured at rest and 1 minute after cuff deflation. FMD was expressed as percent change in radial diameter compared with at rest. In all cases, the left radial artery was studied as a control. Patients were studied before sheath insertion, immediately after sheath insertion, and 6 weeks after sheath insertion. The FMD of the cannulated arm was 13.2% before sheath insertion versus 3.6% immediately after sheath insertion (p <0.01) and 0.2% (p <0.01) 9 weeks after sheath insertion. In contrast, there were no significant changes in the noncannulated arm at either time point. In conclusion, radial artery sheath insertion for coronary angiography or angioplasty results in immediate and persistent blunting of FMD, suggesting severe vasomotor dysfunction. Radial artery sheath insertion has important effects on radial artery function that must be considered when selecting radial conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting.     

疑诊冠心病患者经桡动脉冠脉造影术510例分析

目的　探讨经桡动脉径路行冠脉造影的可行性和安全性。方法　 5 10例临床疑诊为冠心病的患者接受了经桡动脉径路冠脉造影术。结果　 5 0 3例获得成功 ,7例失败 ,其中 3例为穿刺失败 ,1例为桡动脉走行畸形 ,2例是由于无名动脉过于迂曲致导管操作极度困难而失败 ,1例为左锁骨下动脉闭塞。所有病例无严重并发症发生 ,只有 1例于术后发生桡动脉闭塞。结论　桡动脉径路行冠脉造影具有止血容易、病人术后无须长时间卧床和并发症少的优点 ,操作成功率高 ,临床应用安全     

Hydrophilic coating aids radial sheath withdrawal and reduces patient discomfort following transradial coronary intervention: a randomized double-blind comparison of coated and uncoated sheaths.

Radial artery spasm may cause severe discomfort during radial artery sheath removal. A hydrophilic-coated sheath may reduce the force required to remove a radial sheath. This force may be quantified using an automatic pullback device (APD). The objective of this study was to assess if a hydrophilic coating reduces the required force and discomfort associated with removal of a radial sheath following transradial coronary intervention. Ninety patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention via the radial artery were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either coated or uncoated introducer sheaths. Radifocus Introducer II (Terumo) 25 cm, 6 Fr radial sheaths and sheaths that were identical apart from the presence of the coating were used in all patients. The APD was used for sheath removal at the end of the procedure. Three patients (7%) in the coated group experienced discomfort during automatic sheath removal, compared to 12 patients (27%) in the uncoated group (P = 0.02). The maximum pullback force (MPF) was significantly lower in the coated compared to the uncoated group (0.24 +/- 0.31 vs. 0.44 +/- 0.33 kg; P = 0.003). Similarly, the mean pullback force was significantly lower in the coated group (0.14 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.24 kg; P < 0.001). Only one patient (2%) in each group had an MPF greater than 1.0 kg together with clinical evidence of radial artery spasm. Removal of the coated Terumo Radifocus sheath requires less force than an identical uncoated sheath. The coated sheath was also associated with less discomfort for the patient.     

经桡动脉应用单根MAC指引导管行急诊冠状动脉造影和介入治疗

目的探讨经桡动脉应用单根MAC指引导管行急诊冠状动脉造影和介入治疗(PCI)的可行性和安全性。方法前瞻性单中心、随机对照研究,自2011年8月至12月,75例发病12h内的急性ST段抬高心肌梗死(STEMI)、拟行经桡动脉急诊PCI治疗的患者根据随机序号将患者按1:1比例随机分为MAC组和对照组:MAC组(37例)为直接应用MAC指引导管行冠状动脉造影和介入治疗,对照组(38例)为应用造影导管完成冠状动脉造影后再选择指引导管行介入治疗。比较两组患者血管穿刺成功率、导管室准备时间、鞘管置入时间、操作成功率、造影剂用量、操作时间、透视时间和导管室门-球囊(cathlab door to balloon,C2B)时间、穿刺部位并发症以及30天的主要心脏不良事件(死亡、非致死性心肌梗死和靶病变血运重建)发生率。结果 75例患者,其中男性57例,女性18例,年龄(61.5±12.2)岁。两组穿刺置管成功率均为100%,对照组1例患者因右桡尺动脉环而改股动脉路径完成手术。MAC组和对照组相比,两组患者的穿刺置管时间、PCI操作成功率和造影剂用量无明显差异[(1.73±1.08)min比(1.65±0.84)min,t=-0.398,P>0.05;89.2%比89.2%,χ2=0.140,P>0.05;(127±74)ml比(136±33)ml,t=1.159,P>0.05]。操作时间、C2B时间和透视时间MAC组均明显低于对照组[(27.27±6.97)min比(36.33±13.71)min,t=3.582,P<0.001;(15.11±4.77)min比(18.31±3.84)min,t=3.180,P=0.002;(7.61±3.04)min比(11.17±5.99)min,t=3.227,P=0.001]。穿刺部位并发症:局部血肿每组各2例。30天的主要心脏不良事件发生率两组相似(2.7%比2.7%)。结论经桡动脉应用单根MAC指引导管行急诊冠状动脉造影和PCI是安全和可行的,能明显减少操作时间、透视时间和C2B时间。     

Feasibility of complex coronary and peripheral interventions by trans‐radial approach using large sheaths

Background : Trans‐radial approach (TRA) reduces vascular access‐site complications but has some technical limitations. Usually, TRA procedures are performed using 5 Fr or 6 Fr sheaths, whereas complex interventions requiring larger sheaths are approached by trans‐femoral access. Methods : During 4 years, at two Institutions with high TRA use, we have attempted to perform selected complex coronary or peripheral interventions by TRA using sheaths larger than 6 Fr. Clinical and procedural data were prospectively collected. Attempt to place a 7 Fr or 8 Fr sheath (according to the planned strategy of the procedure) was performed after 5–6 Fr sheath insertion, administration of intra‐arterial nitrates and radial artery angiography. Late (>3 months) patency of the radial artery was checked (by angiography in the case of repeated procedures or by palpation + reverse Allen test). Results : We collected 60 patients in which TRA large sheath insertion was attempted. The large sheath (87% 7 Fr, 13% 8 Fr) was successfully placed in all cases. Most of the procedures were complex coronary interventions (bifurcated or highly thrombotic or calcific chronic total occlusive lesions), whereas 8.3% were carotid interventions. Procedural success rate was 98.3% (1 failure to reopen a chronic total occlusion). No access‐site related complication occurred. In 57 (95%) patients, late radial artery patency was assessed and showed patency in 90% of the cases, the remaining patients having asymptomatic collateralized occlusion. Conclusions : In selected patients, complex percutaneous interventions requiring 7–8 Fr sheaths can be successfully performed by RA approach without access‐site clinical consequences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

308例经桡动脉途径冠状动脉造影的临床分析

目的 :探讨用Judkins导管经桡动脉途径行冠状动脉造影术的可行性和方法学。方法 :30 8例 ,男性 2 35例 ,女性 73例 ,平均年龄 (6 1 8± 8 7)岁。临床诊断 :稳定性心绞痛 10 5例 (34 1% ) ,不稳定性心绞痛 6 2例 (2 0 1% ) ,急性心肌梗塞 75例 (2 4 4 % ) ,其它 6 6例 (2 1 4 % )。手术过程 :1 Allen试验 ;2 桡动脉穿刺 ;3 用Judkins导管行选择性右冠和左冠造影。结果 :2 95例造影获得成功 ,成功率为95 8%。造影结果 :74例 (2 5 1% )冠脉正常 ,73例 (2 4 75 % )单支病变 ,73例 (2 4 75 % )双支病变 ,75例(2 5 4 % )三支病变。导管选择 :1.右冠造影 :2 95例中 ,2 85例 (96 6 % )用Judkins右冠导管 ,9例 (3 0 6 % )用Amplatz右冠导管 ,1例 (0 34% )用Voda右冠导管 ;2 左冠造影 :2 5 6例 (86 8% )用Judkins左冠导管 ,31例 (10 5 % )用Amplatz左冠导管 ,8例 (2 7% )用Voda左冠导管。结论 :用Judkins导管经桡动脉途径行冠状动脉造影是一种安全可行的选择 ;经皮穿刺桡动脉途径具有止血容易、术后无须卧床休息、病人痛苦小和并发症少等优点。     

Transradial percutaneous coronary interventions: technique, materials & procedure in the light of anatomical and technical considerations

Transradial access is associated with enhanced patients' comfort, significant lower complication rates in diagnostic coronary angiography and better immediate and long-term outcomes after transradial percutaneous coronary interventions. Access failure has been reported to occur in less than 3-7% of cases due to anatomical circumstances (e.g., anomalous radial branching patterns, tortuosity e.g. radial loops, and small radial artery diameters). Radial coronary angiography and angioplasty entail a secondary learning curve of at least 150 cases in order to become familiar and comfortable with this technique. In contrast to previous established techniques (e.g. Sones-arteriotomy), the patient should be positioned in a comfortable supine position with his right arm next to his hip and the interventionist next to the right side of the patient. 19 gauge needles and 0.018 inch wires enhance the chance of successful cannulation the radial artery. A spasmolytic cocktail (3 mg Dinitrate, 3 mg verapamil, at least 3.000 U Heparine) should always be given intraarterially. Longer sheaths (> 13 cm) are not necessary. Essential for easy passage of the vertebralian artery and the common brachio-cephalic trunc (as the most dangerous part of the procedure) in order to reach the ascending aorta, the patient should be asked for a deep inspiration and/or dorsoflexion of his head An Amplatz-II catheter can be used for LCA, RCA and in some cases for LV-angiogram. The sheath should always be removed immediately and hemostasis achieved by radial compression (e.g. clamp). There is a close relationship between access failure respective radial spasm or occlusions and anatomical circumstances (i.e., hypoplastic radial artery, radioulnar loop, or small radial diameters: radial diameter-to-catheter ration < 1.0; assessment by Duplex). Although the radial access can be used in the majority of patients, the use is limited in patients with very small radial diameters and/or with complex lesions (e.g kissing balloon, etc).     

Usefulness of hydrophilic coating on arterial sheath introducer in transradial coronary intervention.

Radial artery spasm is one of the major problems during transradial coronary intervention (TRI). The sheath introducer with hydrophilic coating may reduce the incidence of spasm and reduce the difficulty in removing it from the radial artery under the situation of spasm artery spasm. After we compared the friction resistance between the sheath introducer with hydrophilic coating and that without coating (nine samples each) in vitro, the sheath introducers with and without hydrophilic coating were randomly used in 37 and 36 patients, respectively, who underwent elective TRI with a 6 Fr introducer sheath. Hydrophilic coating of sheath introducer reduced friction resistance by 70% (P < 0.00001) in in vitro model and facilitated sheath removal after finishing TRI (P = 0.0003). Hydrophilic coating of sheath introducer is useful in TRI.     

经桡动脉普通导引导管7F无鞘技术治疗冠状动脉复杂病变

目的 评价经桡动脉普通导引导管7F无鞘技术治疗冠状动脉复杂病变的安全性、可行性.方法 纳入2013年11月至2014年4月,经桡/尺动脉置入6F桡动脉鞘造影后,需要用7F导引导管行介入治疗的患者31例.在桡动脉鞘内置入长260 cm,直径0.036 in（1 in=2.54 cm）非亲水涂层导丝至升主动脉;撤出桡动脉鞘,将6 F 110 cm猪尾管插入7 F 100 cm导引导管内,猪尾管头端突出于导引导管外;将猪尾管和导引导管呈一体,穿入长260 cm,直径0.036 in导引导丝,通过皮肤切口逐次进入桡动脉,导引导管到位后撤出猪尾管.结果 31例导引导管均成功通过桡动脉,到达靶冠状动脉开口,完成介入治疗后撤出导引导管.术后观察24 h,所有患者桡动脉穿刺处无出血,穿刺侧上肢未发生血肿、感觉障碍.术后1个月随访,未发生桡动脉闭塞.结论 经桡动脉普通导引导管7F无鞘技术是治疗冠状动脉复杂病变可选用的相对安全、有效的途径.     

Minimally invasive transradial intervention using sheathless standard guiding catheters

Objectives : We evaluated a sheathless transradial technique for interventions using standard five and six French nonhydrophilic guiding catheters. Background : Miniaturization of transradial interventions may serve to improve patient comfort and reduce the risk of access‐site complications. Guiding catheters carry an outer diameter approximately 2 Fr sizes smaller than their corresponding introducer sheaths. Methods : We identified consecutive patients who underwent transradial intervention between August 2010 and December 2010 using 5 or 6 Fr guides with a sheathless technique. Results : A total of 11 patients were identified (mean age 70.7 ± 10.9 years; 73% male). Single coronary intervention was performed in 10 patients and renal artery intervention in one. Right radial access and 6 Fr guide catheters were used in the majority (each 73%). Five techniques were used to create an inner dilator as the taper. Four of these inner tapers (standard diagnostic catheters, hydrophilic diagnostic catheters, long sheath dilators and guide extensions) enabled successful sheathless guide insertion in all 10 patients attempted. One technique (a partially inflated angioplasty balloon protruding from the guide) attempted in one patient was unsuccessful. All interventional procedures were successful, there were no radial artery access‐site complications and in no case was cross‐over to femoral artery access‐site required. Conclusion : Sheathless transradial intervention using standard 5 and 6 Fr guiding catheters is a safe and effective method for treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular lesions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Interruption of blood flow during compression and radial artery occlusion after transradial catheterization.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the possible relationship between compression after transradial catheterization and radial artery occlusion. Background: Radial artery occlusion is an important concern of transradial catheterization. Interruption of radial artery flow during compression might influence the rate of radial artery occlusion at follow-up. METHODS: A prospective study including 275 consecutive patients undergoing transradial catheterization was conducted. Arterial sheaths were removed immediately after procedures and conventional compressive dressings were left in place for 2 hr. The pulse oximeter signal in the index finger during ipsilateral ulnar compression was used for the assessment of radial artery flow. RESULTS: Radial artery flow was absent in 174 cases (62%) immediately after entry-site compression. After 2 hr of conventional hemostasis, radial artery flow was absent in 162 cases (58%) before bandage removal. At 7-day follow-up, 12 patients (4.4%) had absent pulsations and radial artery flow was absent in 29 cases (10.5%). Patients with an occluded radial artery at follow-up had significantly smaller arterial diameters at baseline (2.23+/-0.4 mm vs. 2.40+/-0.5 mm; P=0.032) and more frequently had absent flow during hemostasis (90% vs. 54%, P<0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that absent flow before compressive bandages removal was the only independent predictor of radial artery occlusion at follow-up (OR=6.7; IC 95%: 1.95-22.9; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Flow-limiting compression is a frequent finding during conventional hemostasis after transradial catheterization. Absence of radial artery flow during compression represents a strong predictor of radial artery occlusion.