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Pre-Procedure

Preprocedural Evaluation:
• Evaluate circulation of ulnopalmar arch with modified Allen or Barbeau test
• Type D is only contraindication for radial access (some institutions forgo Barbeau test because of ulnar-palmar collateralisation)
• Is patient on dialysis or nearing dialysis and may need radial artery for potential access
• US to evaluate the size of the radial artery - 2 cm is reasonable minimal diameter

Left vs right radial artery
Left:
• Catheter will only cross left vertebral artery
• Extra working length of catheter
• Less chance of radial loop or difficult anatomy
Right:
• Can position arm by side which closely approximates femoral set up
• Helpful for neurointerventional procedures involving carotids or intracranial vasculature

Procedure

Day of procedure:
• 30 mg of topical nitroglycerin to left wrist
• EMLA cream (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%) to left wrist
• Apply 30 minutes prior to procedure and cover with tegaderm

Position
• Wrist extended with palm facing up
• Arm abducted vs adducted - operator preference
Access:
• 2 cm proximal to the radial styloid
• Puncture angle of ~ 30-45°
• Recommend a radial access kit: many products available.
• US guidance with single wall puncture using 21g needle
Insert 0.018" guidewire
Visualize wire with any signs of resistance
Important to use hydrophilic sheath - make sure sheath is wet to activate coating

Tips:
• Dermatotomy typically unnecessary
• Do not overuse lidocaine. Can spasm radial artery
• Keep patient calm and room warm

Radial cocktail:
• Some operators do not use
• Many combinations of drugs: 2.5 mg verapamil, 200 µg of nitroglycerin, 3000 units heparin
• Hemodilution - draw up the radial cocktail in a 20 or 30 ml syringe and dilute the cocktail with arterial blood from recently placed sheath. Administer slowly during diastole.
• Consider securing sheath to wrist - can cut "X" in tegaderm and place over sheath

Post-Procedure

Key concept:
• Patent hemostasis (non-occlusive) minimizes risk of radial artery occlusion

Sheath removal:
• Radial compression device following procedure: many products
• Tip: partially removing sheath 1-2 cm and place gauze proximal to access site: will allow room for compression band and wick away oozing during sheath removal/band placement
• Slowly inject air into band (usually ~15 ml) while removing sheath - confirm no oozing
• Remove 1 ml of air incrementally until oozing at access site occurs
• Inject 1-2 ml of air
• Confirm radial pulse is present following compression band placement - evaluate waveform

Deflation protocol - depends on patient, procedure and sheath size
• For routine procedure without anticoagulation and 5 Fr access sheath a reasonable protocol is as follows: begin deflation 30-60 minutes after band placement, remove 3 cc of air Q5 minutes until sheath deflated. If bleeding occurs during deflation, reinflate band with air until hemostasis achieved and restart deflation protocol in 20 minutes.
• Observe patient for 30 minutes before discharge
• Check pulse and site before discharge

Discharge instructions:
• No lifting above 2 lbs x 24 hours
• No strenuous activity x 24 hours
• Keep bandage on for at least 24 hours.
• Ok to shower, but do not submerge access site for 48 hours