INCIDENCE AND PREDICTORS OF RADIAL ARTERY SPASM DURING LEFT HEART CATHERIZATION

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence of radial artery spasm and various predictors leading to radial artery spasm during coronary angiography/angioplasty in Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology/National Institute of Heart Diseases Rawalpindi.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Interventional Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology & National Institute of Heart Diseases Rawalpindi, from Aug to Nov 2020.

Methodology: This study enrolled 272 patients who were to under go the procedure of coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention either already admitted or came for out-patient procedure. Coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention was done via trans radial approach and the study participants were observed for development of radial artery spasm. The patients were managed according to the department protocol.

Results: The frequency of radial artery spasm was 30 (11%). No statistically significant association was found between radial artery spasm and various predictors such as age, hypertension and diabetes mellitus (p>0.05), except female gender (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Radial artery spasm is a common complication of trans radial approach for coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention particularly in females undergoing the procedure.