Impact of transradial coronary procedures on radial artery.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of transradial coronary procedures on the radial artery (RA). METHODS: A total of 355 patients who underwent the transradial coronary procedures including transradial coronary angiography (CAG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled. The right RA (RRA) was examined by ultrasound. RESULTS: The mean RRA diameter was 2.37 +/- 0.57, 1.95 +/- 0.50, and 2.23 +/- 0.41 mm, respectively, before the procedure, 1 day, and 1 month after the procedures (P < .01 at 1 day, P < .05 at 1 month). The mean intima-media thickness of RRA was 0.25 +/- 0.12, 0.69 +/- 0.31, and 0.38 +/- 0.17 mm, respectively, before the procedure, 1 day and 1 month after the procedure (P < .01 at 1 day, P < .05 at 1 month). The incidence of RRA stenosis was 0%, 15.7%, and 7.6%, respectively; the incidence of RRA occlusion was 0%, 2.8%, and 1.7%, respectively, before the procedure,1 day and 1 month after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Transradial coronary procedures can lead to early RA injury, but this repairs later.