The impact of Verapamil for radial access in diagnostic cerebrovascular angiograms: A retrospective case-control study

Abstract

Introduction Different combinations of medications are utilized during wrist access for radial artery (RA) or ulnar artery (UA) catheterization in neuroendovascular procedures to preclude vasospasm. These “cocktails” commonly include the calcium channel blocker Verapamil, without established benefit. We analyze outcomes in patients with and without Verapamil in their “cocktail” by using a case-control cohort of our single-center experience. Methods A prospective log of consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic cerebral angiograms using RA/UA access was retrospectively reviewed, and patients were grouped into Verapamil and non-Verapamil cohorts. The primary outcomes assessed were the presence of forearm skin rashes (hives) and RA/UA spasms. Our initial management included Verapamil (5 mg) in the cocktail, but Verapamil was removed after we noticed the development of hives in multiple patients immediately following its injection. Results A total of 221 patients underwent 241 RA/UA diagnostic cerebral angiograms and were included in our analysis. One hundred and forty-nine patients (61.8%) underwent catheterization with Verapamil and 92 (38.2%) were catheterized without it. Four of the 149 patients in the Verapamil group (2.7%) developed hives during the procedure and were treated with Benadryl (25 mg). Of the 92 patients who did not receive Verapamil, there were zero (0%) cases of hives and one (1.1%) case of vasospasm. Conclusion Verapamil in the “cocktail” for wrist access diagnostic cerebral angiograms was associated with periprocedural hives, but not associated with a significant reduction in spasm compared to the non-Verapamil group. Our findings suggest that the administration of prophylactic Verapamil for these procedures may not be necessary.