Korean Circ J.  2004 Apr;34(4):376-380. 10.4070/kcj.2004.34.4.376.

The Safety and Feasibility of Transradial Coronary Angiography Over 70-Year-Old Patients

• Chun KJ
• Kim JH
• Hong TJ
• Chun TJ
• Shin YW

• KMID: 2294363
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2004.34.4.376

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The transradial approach has been suggested as an alternative entry site for coronary angiography. The complication and success rates of the vascular procedure have been associated with age. The aim of this study was to determine the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of transradial coronary angiography for patients greater than age 70 compared with younger patients. SUBJCETS AND METHODS: Clinical and angiographic data were reviewed retrospectively in 894 consecutive patients who underwent transradial coronary angiography from January 2001 through May 2003. Procedure-related results were used to compare 2 groups, patients aged < 70 years and those >70 years.
RESULTS
In a consecutive series of 894 patients, 638 were < 70 years of age and 256 were >70 years of age. There was no significant difference in the rate of success in patients >70 years compared with patients < 70 (91.1% vs 93.6%). No severe complications, such as death, vascular dissection, rupture, and major cerebrovascular accidents were present in either group. Procedure-related variables, including procedure time, radiographic contrast use, and the number of catheters used per case, were similar between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Transradial access is a safe and feasible approach for coronary angiography in elderly patients, yielding results similar to those achieved with younger patients.

Keyword

Coronary angiography; Transradial catheterization; Aged

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Catheters
Coronary Angiography*
Humans
Retrospective Studies
Rupture
Stroke