Scottsdale – Heart disease is common in the United States with about 1.5 million heart attacks predicted this year. A new approach to intervention in the U.S., may help to reduce the risks of treatment and reduce complications and hospital stay. We have to look to Europe for guidance in the use of the radial artery to perform heart angiography, where the technique is used in 40 to 50% of patients (Source: Ivanhoe Newswire).

With this technique, cardiologists use the wrist artery instead of the groin vessels to perform angiograms. According to Sanjay Patel, M.D., F.A.C.C., an interventional cardiologist at Memorial Hermann Woodlands Hospital in Houston, Texas, “It easily slides through the small radial artery.” In the U.S., only about 5% of angiograms are performed using the radial artery.

Several studies published from 2004 through 2009 from Canada and Europe have consistently found that transradial angiograms are safe, leading to a lower risk of blood vessel complications, bleeding and lower risk of blood transfusion. “In fact, they can walk right out of the cath lab as soon as my procedure is over,” said Dr. Patel. In contrast, patients who have angiography performed via the groin, have to lay flat for 6 hours after the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding from the vessel.

The radial artery approach may be a useful tool here in the U.S., and may see increased popularity among cardiologits. I really like the fact that in all recent studies patients went home sooner and appeared to recover faster. However, as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, with a history of managing hand surgery patients, I say that we should use caution in certain cases.

My recommendations would be to avoid using the dominant hand artery, avoid using the wrist vessels in persons who make a living with their hands, such as surgeons or musicians, and to seek help from a vascular surgeon if a major blood vessel injury is suspected.