Introduction Transradial access (TRA) has been used extensively for coronary intervention and
offers many advantages over the transfemoral access (TFA). When compared with TFA,
TRA has been shown to be safer, associated with decreased hemorrhagic complications,
decreased costs, and increased patient satisfaction. TRA is particularly useful in
outpatient procedures because it allows for shorter patient recovery time and decreased
risk of hematoma formation compared with TFA.
Content Organization This educational exhibit will discuss the clinical indications, patient selection
criteria, and contraindications of TRA. A brief description of the procedure will
highlight key differences of TRA from TFA including patient positioning, antispasmodic
intra-arterial medication administration, and unique equipment used.
The benefits of TRA will be cited from the literature including decreased bleeding
risks, length of hospital stay, and procedural cost compared with TFA. Disadvantages
of TRA compared with other traditional access sites will also be discussed including
difficulty due to small vessel size and the cumbrousness of the procedure for first
time users.
The importance of thorough training of interventionalists, technologists, and nursing
staff will also be noted, particularly for intra-arterial medication administration
and successful post procedure hemostasis. Additionally, potential adverse events of
TRA will be discussed as well as post procedural management.
A pictorial review will demonstrate hepatic, mesenteric, and splenic arterial interventions
achieved via TRA with a brief description of each clinical case performed at our institution.
Learning Points In this educational exhibit, we will explore the option of using TRA access over
TFA in gastrointestinal arterial-related procedures, including advantages and disadvantages
of TRA access, access technique, and complications, as well as examples of GI interventions
using radial access.
