How To Do The Barbeau Test

Endovascular specialist Dr. Christopher Beck demonstrates how to do the Barbeau Test, a quick way to determine if a patient is a candidate for radial access. Radial access has become increasingly popular with interventional radiology procedures and is particularly helpful with certain patient populations who may have femoral arteries which are difficult to access because of atherosclerotic disease, body habitus or existing groin infection. The Barbeau Test is an important technique to assess patency of the radiopalmar arch. Understanding the patient’s circulation will aid in the decision making process of choosing the appropriate access site for the procedure.

How to Perform the Barbeau Test

1. Start with a pulse oximeter on the patient’s index finger and then compress the radial and ulnar arteries at the same time.
2. Once the waveform is flat for two cycles, release the ulnar artery.
3. In the next two minutes, watch for the waveform to return, at this point, the Barbeau Test is complete.