Evaluation of radial artery occlusion in patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures via distal radial access. A retrospective observational study (RDISTAL DOR)

Background: The use of the distal radial access for invasive coronary procedures has been rapidly adopted by the medical community, but with no evaluation of efficacy and safety outcomes of this approach. The objective was to evaluate the rate of radial artery occlusion involved in this technique, using Doppler ultrasound. Methods: This was an observational, retrospective study involving patients undergoing invasive diagnostic or therapeutic coronary procedures via distal radial access, with assessment of the radial artery patency by Doppler ultrasound. The primary outcome analyzed was the rate of radial artery occlusion. Results: Between July and December 2020, 51 patients underwent procedures via distal radial access, with assessment of the radial artery patency, out of a total of 603 patients seen during this period. Patients were aged 58±10.8 years, 68.6% were male, 26.9% had diabetes mellitus, and 68.6% were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome. Diagnostic procedures were performed in 68.2% of sample, and 23.5% of patients had undergone a previous use of the ipsilateral proximal radial access. Doppler ultrasound was performed over a mean period of 24 hours, and no occlusion of the radial artery was observed, with mean time for sheath insertion of 1.9 minutes. There was no major vascular complication. In two patients, pain was observed at the access point; another two had a small subcutaneous hematoma, and, one patient, presented with moderate spasm. Conclusion: The use of distal radial access was associated with a low rate of hemorrhagic complications in the access route, and absence of occlusion of the radial artery by Doppler ultrasound assessment.