Purpose
Transradial approach (TRA) is widely accepted as a safe and feasible endovascular route for haemodynamic procedures; however, it is still underused by interventional radiologists.
We performed a multi-country survey among interventional radiologists to assess the diffusion of TRA and its advantages and disadvantages to better understand the reasons for choice or refusal of this endovascular approach.
Methods and materials
20 multiple-choice questions were proposed to interventional radiologist across all Europe.
Questions were aimed to obtain information on demographic of the interventional radiologists and whether they did perform TRA daily, on the screening modalities for TRA, on intra-procedural variables, choices and preferences, and on procedural complications [Image 1, 2, 3; the full set of questions will be published in an upcoming article].
The questionnaire results were compared to literature evidences.
Results
74 interventional radiologists completed the survey (74% male, 26% female).
66% of the respondents was >40 years-old and 43% with >15 years of experience.
69% of respondents performed US-guided puncture in all patients.
92% of the interventional radiologists deemed mandatory the intra-procedural infusion of heparin and vasodilators via the radial vascular sheath to prevent complications.
TRA to TFA conversion rate was lower than 5% in 54% of the respondents.
The most common reasons to not perform TRA were the perceived longer learning curve (26%) and...
Conclusion
Limitations and disadvantages of TRA hinder its broad diffusion among the
interventional radiology community; however, most of them are only perceived and do not have a solid scientific background.
This survey could help interventional radiologists to better understand the advantages of TRA, and to acknowledge its role in interventional oncology procedures.
Personal information and conflict of interest
A. Posa; Rome/IT - nothing to disclose A. Tanzilli; Rome/IT - nothing to disclose R. Iezzi; Rome/IT - nothing to disclose F. Carchesio; Rome/IT - nothing to disclose R. Manfredi; Rome/IT - nothing to disclose
References
Iezzi R, Posa A, Merlino B, et al. Operator learning curve for transradial liver cancer embolization: implications for the initiation of a transradial access program.Diagn Interv Radiol. 2019;25:368-374.
Ratib K, Mamas MA, Routledge HC, et al. Influence of access site choice on incidence of neurologic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention. Am Heart J. 2013;165:317-324.