Preservation of Radial Vasomotor Functions Through the Anatomic Snuffbox: A Prospective Comparison with other Radial Accesses during Coronary Angiography

Objective: To compare radial vasomotor functions at three different access sites namely right, left main radial artery, and left distal radial (LDR) artery. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Cardiology, EGE University, Turkey, from September 2017 to February 2018. Methodology: Forty-one patients scheduled for transradial elective coronary angiography and intervention were consecutively enrolled. Access site decision was left free to operators being blind of the study. Main radial vasomotor function measured through flow mediated vasodilation test was compared between other radial access sites on admission, 1 day and 2 months post-catheterisation. Results: Five patients were intervened through the left main radial, whereas the LDR and the right main radial access were used in 17 and 19 patients respectively. In contrast to other radial access sites, LDR approach showed significantly less influenced vasomotor functions the day after the procedure. This feature continued to be preserved for two months of followup. Conclusion: Left distal radial branch in the anatomic snuffbox is a reliable access in terms of vasomotor function preservation compared to conventional left and right radial artery accesses.