Left vs. right radial approach for coronary catheterization: Relation to age and severe aortic stenosis

BackgroundOld age and the presence of aortic stenosis are associated with the unfolding of the intrathoracic aorta. This may result in increased difficulties navigating catheters from the right compared to the left radial approach.ObjectiveTo investigate whether increasing age or presence of severe aortic stenosis was associated with increased catheterization success rates from left (LRA) compared to right radial artery approach (RRA).MethodsWe compared coronary angiography success rates of RRA and LRA according to different age groups and in a subgroup of patients with severe aortic stenosis.ResultsA total of 21,259 coronary angiographies were evaluated. With increasing age, the first pass success rate from either radial access decreased significantly (p < 0.001). In patients aged