A modified technique for radial artery access: how Interventional Radiologists can optimise the Cardiologists’ technique to suite their procedures

Background single centre prospective observational study of our technique of radial access in 62 Prostatic Artery Embolisation procedures. Evaluation of left radial artery diameter using high frequency ultrasound pre- and post-administration of sublingual GTN. Pre-procedure questionnaires calculating symptom severity score compared with post-procedure. Results Sublingual GTN is associated with a statistically significant increase in radial artery diameter (p < .00001). There was a statistically significant reduction in both average IPSS and QoL from pre-procedure to post-PAE. 100% success rate of insertion of radial artery sheath was achieved. Crossover rate to femoral access was low (4%). Radial artery access had a low complication rate (2%). Radial artery variant anatomy was reasonably common (7%). Conclusions Sublingual GTN provides statistically significant increase in radial artery diameter. PAE from radial access is associated with a symptomatic improvement at 2-month follow-up.