Radial Versus Femoral Arterial Access for Cardiac Catheterization: Comparison of Complications at 30 Days

Cardiac catheterization has traditionally been performed via access to the arterial circulation from the femoral artery located in the groin. As an alternative to this approach, the radial artery, located in the arm, is gaining wider use in clinical practice. Multiple studies have demonstrated that cardiac catheterization via the radial approach has a very low complication rate, in the short term. This study is intended to determine if there are any differences in the long term complication rate between radial artery cardiac catheterization as compared with femoral artery cardiac catheterization.

Patients presenting at Creighton University Medical Center Cardiac Catheterization laboratory for either radial or femoral cardiac catherization

• Other: Allen's test
  The Allen's test checks to make sure that radial and ulnar arteries that supply blood to the hand are not blocked. A pulse oximeter is placed on the index finger of the hand. The subject is asked to make a fist for 10 seconds.At this time, pressure is applied over the ulnar and radial arteries as to occlude (block) both of them. The pulse oximeter reading will begin to fall. Radial arterial pressure is then released. If the artery is patent (working), the pulse oximeter reading will begin to rise.
• Other: Distal pulses
  Practitioner will check that the dorsalis pedis and posterior tibialis are palpable.

• Femoral
  Subjects receiving femoral artery cardiac catheterization
  Intervention: Other: Distal pulses
• Radial
  Subjects receiving radial artery cardiac catheterization
  Intervention: Other: Allen's test

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or Female
• 19 years old or older
• candidate for radial or femoral cardiac catheterization