Transbrachial angiography: an effective and safe approach

Abstract

Background: Description of the technique of the transbrachial catheter diagnostics, retrospective evaluation of the technical success rate and the complications. Patients and methods: In a period of 8 years the transbrachial approach was used in 2555 patients, 1734 men and 821 women with an average age of 62.9 years. The investigation was done with outpatients in approximately 90% of the cases. Usually, the preferred arm was not punctured. For the diagnostics F4 and F5-catheter sheaths and selective catheter and/or plain catheters were used. Results: 12 times (0.47%) the investigation did not succeed technically. The image quality of the vascular representations was diagnostically sufficient. The total complication rate amounted to 0.47%. The following complications appeared: four dissections in the site of puncture, one embolism into arteries at the forearm, three transitory ischemic attacks, four haematoma at the site of puncture. Conclusions: The transbrachial catheter diagnostics is a little invasive, efficient and low-risk method, which is practicable in out-patients.