Purpose

There is increasing interest in the distal radial artery in the anatomic snuffbox as an alternative arterial access point, but the durability of the distal radial artery to support repetitive accesses over multiple procedures is not well established. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate success rates for repeated left-sided distal transradial access (ldTRA) in the anatomic snuffbox.

Methods

In this single institution retrospective study, all patients undergoing radioembolization treatments from January 1st, 2019 to May 1st, 2020 were prospectively evaluated for ldTRA. ldTRA was performed by 15 different operators. Exclusion criteria were a left radiocephalic hemodialysis fistula, inability to properly position the arm, Barbeau D waveform, or failed prior ldTRA due to tortuosity. Barbeau patterns, arterial sizes, and success rates at the first, second, and third ldTRA were compared.

Results

Fifty patients were evaluated for ldTRA and 44, 39, and 10 underwent one, two, and three ldTRA attempts for a total of 93 procedures. There was no significant change in Barbeau patterns between the first and second (p = 0.13) or first and third (p = 1.0) ldTRA. There was no significant change in artery size between the first (mean, 2.3 mm; range, 1.5–3.4 mm) and second (mean, 2.3 mm; range, 1.6–3.3 mm) (p = 0.59) and first and third (mean, 2.4 mm; range, 1.9–3.3) (p = 0.45) ldTRA. The success rate was not significantly different between the first (93%, 41/44, 95% CI 81%–99%), second (95%, 37/39, 95% CI 83%–99%), and third (100%, 10/10, 95% CI 69%–100%) procedure (p = 1.0). The asymptomatic occlusion rate was 4.1% (2/49, 95% CI 0%–14%), and subsequent ldTRA was successfully completed in both patients with occlusions. There were no hemorrhagic or ischemic complications.

Conclusion

Success rates are indistinguishable among first, second, and third time ldTRA suggesting that this is a durable access point.