Use of the Left Radial Artery as Vascular Access for Coronary Angiography and as a Bypass Conduit: A Clinical Dilemma?
Abstract
Purpose
International coronary revascularization guidelines recommend both, transradial vascular access for coronary angiography/intervention and use of the radial artery as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). These recommendations may pose a clinical dilemma, as transradial access exposes these arteries to vascular trauma which makes them potentially unsuitable as future grafts. In this study, we investigated the awareness and views of cardiologists on these guideline recommendations.