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Radial Access

Radial access is a technique used in minimally invasive procedures where a catheter is inserted into the radial artery in the wrist, offering a safer and more comfortable alternative to traditional femoral access. Often enhanced by the use of a radial cocktail—a combination of medications that help dilate the artery and reduce vasospasm—this approach improves patient outcomes and procedure efficiency. Radial access is increasingly preferred for procedures like coronary angiography and angioplasty due to its lower risk of complications, such as bleeding or hematoma, and shorter recovery times. This technique allows for quicker mobilization and increased patient comfort, making it an excellent choice for both diagnostic and interventional treatments.

Learn more on the BackTable VI Podcast

BackTable is a knowledge resource for physicians by physicians. Get practical advice on Radial Access and how to build your practice by listening to the BackTable VI Podcast, reading exclusing BackTable Articles, and following the work of our Contributors.

Ep 443 Innovative Approaches in Radial to Peripheral Interventions with Dr. Amit Srivastava

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Pre Radial Access Procedure Prep

Pre-Procedural Evaluation

• Evaluate circulation of ulnopalmar arch with modified Allen or Barbeau test
• Type D is only contraindication for radial access (some institutions forgo Barbeau test because of ulnar-palmar collateralisation)
• Is patient on dialysis or nearing dialysis and may need radial artery for potential access
• US to evaluate the size of the radial artery - 2 mm is reasonable minimal diameter

Left vs right radial artery
Left:
• Catheter will only cross left vertebral artery
• Extra working length of catheter
• Less chance of radial loop or difficult anatomy
Right:
• Can position arm by side which closely approximates femoral set up
• Helpful for neurointerventional procedures involving carotids or intracranial vasculature

Radial Access Podcasts

Listen to leading physicians discuss radial access on the BackTable VI Podcast. Get tips, tricks, and expert guidance from your peers and level up your practice.

VI Episode #461

Advanced Radial to Peripheral Interventions

Dr. Sameh Sayfo discusses advanced techniques in radial to peripheral (R2P) interventions, the importance of having multiple techniques, the role of different devices, troubleshooting tips, and the evolving landscape of R2P interventions. Dr. Sayfo is an interventional cardiologist at the Baylor Heart Hospital, and serves as program director for the endovascular fellowship and pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) program.

VI Episode #443

Innovative Approaches in Radial to Peripheral Interventions

In this episode, Dr. Amit Srivastava discusses the transformation of peripheral interventional practices through radial access techniques, emphasizing reduced complication rates, the extensive range of devices now available, and the option for same-day discharge.

VI Episode #428

Radial Access Evolution: Clinical Perspectives & Insights from the RAVI Registry

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza interviews guest Dr. Marcelo Guimaraes about the advantages and implementation of radial access in interventional radiology. Dr. Guimaraes is a vascular and interventional radiologist from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).

VI Episode #395

Radial to Peripheral Tools & Technique

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Aaron Fritts and Dr. Sameh Sayfo discuss radial to peripheral interventions, also known as R2P. Dr. Sayfo is an interventional cardiologist and the program director of the endovascular fellowship at Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas.

VI Episode #342

Radial Access for PAD

In this episode, host Dr. Sabeen Dhand interviews vascular surgeon Dr. Rami Tadros about advantages and indications for radial access in PAD treatment and the current selection of radial access devices.

VI Episode #148

Radial vs. Femoral for Prostate Artery Embolization

We talk with Dr. Blake Parsons about his approach to Radial vs. Femoral access for Prostate Artery Embolization for BPH, including patient selection, device considerations, and practice pearls.

VI Episode #30

Transradial Access: Basic to Advanced

Our interventional radiologist guest Dr. Aaron Fischman gets into the details of his technique, equipment and tips/tricks for transradial access, as well as its advantages in a variety of IR interventions.

VI Episode #26

Radial vs. Femoral Access in IO Procedures

Dr. Christopher Beck and Dr. Jason Iannuccilli discuss radial vs femoral access in IO procedures, including the pros and cons of both, and a very informative "how I do it" for radial access by Dr. Iannuccilli.

Radial Access Procedure Steps

Day of Radial Access Procedure

• 30 mg of topical nitroglycerin to left wrist
• EMLA cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) to left wrist
• Apply 30 minutes prior to procedure and cover with tegaderm

Position

• Wrist extended with palm facing up
• Arm abducted vs adducted - operator preference
Access:
• 2 cm proximal to the radial styloid
• Puncture angle of ~ 30-45°
• Recommend a radial access kit: many products available.
• US guidance with single wall puncture using 21g needle
Insert 0.018" guidewire
Visualize wire with any signs of resistance
Important to use hydrophilic sheath - make sure sheath is wet to activate coating

Radial Access Tips

• Dermatotomy typically unnecessary
• Do not overuse lidocaine. Can spasm radial artery
• Keep patient calm and room warm

Radial Cocktail

• Some operators do not use
• Many combinations of drugs: 2.5 mg verapamil, 200 µg of nitroglycerin, 3000 units heparin
• Hemodilution - draw up the radial cocktail in a 20 or 30 ml syringe and dilute the radial cocktail with arterial blood from recently placed sheath. Administer slowly during diastole.
• Consider securing sheath to wrist - can cut "X" in tegaderm and place over sheath

Radial Access Articles

Read our exclusive BackTable VI Articles for quick insights on radial access, provided by physicians for physicians.

Minimizing Complications During Radial Access Procedures

Transradial access (TRA) has been shown to improve discharge and recovery times when compared to transfemoral access, though complications may arise. TRA expert Dr. Aaron Fischman discusses complications related to radial access as well as ways to circumvent these problems in episode 30 of the BackTable podcast.

Radial Closure Devices

Radial artery closure devices yield consistent performance to achieve hemostasis. Radial access expert Dr. Fischman discusses the patent hemostasis concept, differences between the various radial closure devices, and how to determine time to hemostasis in your patients.

Choosing the Right Equipment for Radial Access Success

As TRA has become a regular practice for IRs, equipment and devices have become increasingly versatile to encompass a wide variety of IR procedures. Radial access expert Dr. Aaron Fischman discusses his prefered TRA equipment including catheters, sheaths, and closure devices, that increase his success when using TRA.

Radial Access 101 with Dr. Aaron Fischman

In episode 30 of the BackTable podcast, radial access expert Dr. Aaron Fischman discusses how to integrate TRA into your practice, what constitutes a complete circulatory examination, and when to reconsider TRA and opt for alternative access sites.

My Radial Access Technique in Oncologic Embolization Cases’ by Dr. Jason Iannuccilli

Interventional radiologist Dr. Jason Iannuccilli covers patient selection, equipment, and step-by-step instructions to minimize complications and maximize technical success in oncologic embolization procedures.

How To Set Up Your Cath Lab for Better Radial Access Ergonomics

Many interventional radiologists still find the ergonomics of radial access to be awkward and even uncomfortable when performing oncologic embolization procedures. Dr. Jason Iannuccilli talks through his cath lab layout and the tricks he uses to be successful with radial access.

Rationale for Use of Radial vs. Femoral Access in Oncologic Embolization Procedures

For many interventional oncologists, the decision to go femoral or radial is often a matter of prior experience and comfort with the technique. In our recent podcast, Dr. Jason Iannuccilli, Dr. Chris Beck, and Dr. Michael Barraza provide rationale on their preferred access method in oncologic embolization procedures, covering the pros and cons of both approaches, and the distinct advantages that radial access may provide. We’ve provided the highlight reel and some insightful quotes from our IR

Post-Procedure

Key Concept

• Patent hemostasis (non-occlusive) minimizes risk of radial artery occlusion

Sheath Removal

• Radial compression device following procedure: many products
• Tip: partially removing sheath 1-2 cm and place gauze proximal to access site: will allow room for compression band and wick away oozing during sheath removal/band placement
• Slowly inject air into band (usually ~15 ml) while removing sheath - confirm no oozing
• Remove 1 ml of air incrementally until oozing at access site occurs
• Inject 1-2 ml of air
• Confirm radial pulse is present following compression band placement - evaluate waveform

Deflation Protocol

• Depends on patient, procedure and sheath size
• For routine procedure without anticoagulation and 5 Fr access sheath a reasonable protocol is as follows: begin deflation 30-60 minutes after band placement, remove 3 cc of air Q5 minutes until sheath deflated. If bleeding occurs during deflation, reinflate band with air until hemostasis achieved and restart deflation protocol in 20 minutes.
• Observe patient for 30 minutes before discharge
• Check pulse and site before discharge

Discharge Instructions

• No lifting above 2 lbs x 24 hours
• No strenuous activity x 24 hours
• Keep bandage on for at least 24 hours.
• Ok to shower, but do not submerge access site for 48 hours

Radial Access Demos

Watch video walkthroughs of radial access on the BackTable VI expanded content network.

How To Do The Barbeau Test

Transradial Uterine Artery Embolization (TRUFE) of Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids

References

[1] Scalise RFM, Salito AM, Polimeni A, et al. Radial Artery Access for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions: Contemporary Insights and Novel Approaches. J Clin Med. 2019;8(10):1727. Published 2019 Oct 18. doi:10.3390/jcm8101727
[2] Ferrante G, Rao SV, Jüni P, et al. Radial Versus Femoral Access for Coronary Interventions Across the Entire Spectrum of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2016;9(14):1419‐1434. doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2016.04.014
[3] Bishay VL, Biederman DM, Ward TJ, et al. Transradial Approach for Hepatic Radioembolization: Initial Results and Technique. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2016;207(5):1112‐1121. doi:10.2214/AJR.15.15615
[4] Fischman AM, Swinburne NC, Patel RS. A Technical Guide Describing the Use of Transradial Access Technique for Endovascular Interventions. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2015;18(2):58‐65. doi:10.1053/j.tvir.2015.04.002
[5] BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2018, April 4). Ep 26 – Radial vs. Femoral Access in IO Procedures [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi
[6] BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2018, June 27). Ep 30 – Transradial Access: Basic to Advanced [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com/shows/vi

Disclaimer: The Materials available on https://www.BackTable.com/ are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.