Ipsilateral ulnar compression cuts radial artery occlusion

(HealthDay)—Radial artery occlusion (RAO) after transradial access (TRA) can be cut significantly with prophylactic ipsilateral ulnar compression, according to a study published in the Oct. 10 issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Samir B. Pancholy, M.D., from Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, Pa., and colleagues randomized 3,000 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization using TRA to either standard patent hemostasis protocol or prophylactic ipsilateral ulnar compression in addition to patent hemostasis. Radial artery patency was evaluated using plethysmography at the time of removal of the compression device as well as 24 hours and 30 days after the procedure.

The researchers found that RAO was significantly reduced in patients with patent hemostasis and prophylactic ulnar compression versus standard patent hemostasis (0.9 versus 3.0 percent; P = 0.0001). RAO reduction was significant at all time intervals (P < 0.0001).

"Prophylactic ipsilateral ulnar compression during radial artery hemostasis is an effective, simple, and inexpensive technique that lowers the risk of RAO after TRA," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the medical device industry.