The Role of Ultrasound in Accessing the Distal Radial Artery at the Anatomical Snuffbox for Cardiovascular Interventions
Alexandru Achim,
Orsolya Ágnes Péter,
Kornél Kákonyi,
Viktor Sasi,
Attila Nemes,
Călin Homorodean,
Agata Stanek,
Dan Mircea Olinic,
Zoltán Ruzsa
Affiliations
Alexandru Achim
Klinik für Kardiologie, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Kantonsspital Baselland, 4410 Liestal, Switzerland
Orsolya Ágnes Péter
Vascular Surgery Department, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
Kornél Kákonyi
Department of Internal Medicine, Invasive Cardiology Division, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
Viktor Sasi
Department of Internal Medicine, Invasive Cardiology Division, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
Attila Nemes
Department of Internal Medicine, Invasive Cardiology Division, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
Călin Homorodean
Medicala 1 Invasive Cardiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400125 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Agata Stanek
Department and Clinic of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Batorego 15 St., 41-902 Bytom, Poland
Dan Mircea Olinic
Medicala 1 Invasive Cardiology Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj-Napoca, 400125 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Zoltán Ruzsa
Department of Internal Medicine, Invasive Cardiology Division, University of Szeged, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
In an effort to refine transcatheter vascular interventions, radial artery access has moved more distally at the anatomical snuffbox. Here, more challenges appear as the artery is smaller, more angulated, and more difficult to palpate. Including ultrasound guidance as a mandatory step during puncture may encourage more operators to switch to this approach. In the femoral approach, ultrasound guidance is strongly recommended because of bleeding complications, whereas in the proximal (conventional) radial approach, the role of ultrasound remains optional, and in current practice, almost all cases are performed by palpation of the pulse only. However, in distal radial access, the situation is different because the artery differs in caliber and position, and imaging can help the operator for a clean puncture, especially since repeated punctures are not only painful but also any hematoma formation leads to the complete compression of the artery and failure of access. The aim of this review is to investigate the rationale of vascular ultrasound during distal radial access and to establish some techniques and anatomical landmarks for the ultrasonographic exploration of the dorsal area of the hand.
