Predictors of Technical Failure in Transradial Coronary Angiography and Intervention

Transradial access for coronary angiography and intervention is preferred over the femoral approach but can be technically challenging. Identification of predictors of transradial access failure is important, especially in the context of acute coronary syndromes. We therefore retrospectively analyzed 13,095 consecutive patients (66 ± 12 years, 64% male) in whom transradial access was attempted for coronary angiography or intervention to identify predictors of transradial access failure. Angiograms and patient files were systematically reviewed to analyze patient characteristics associated with failure. Transradial access failure rate was 6.8% (909 of 13,095). Patients with transradial access failure were more frequently female (9.5% vs 5.5%; p <0.001), significantly older (68 ± 12 vs 66 ± 12 years, p <0.001), and had a smaller body surface area (1.89 ± 0.21 vs 1.94 ± 0.2 m2; p <0.001). Transradial failure was not significantly more frequent in ST-elevation myocardial infarction versus other patients (8.1% vs 6.9%, p = 0.195). After multivariable adjustment, only female sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, p <0.001), higher patient age (OR 1.01/year, p = 0.002), and lower height (OR 0.98/cm, p = 0.004) independently predicted transradial access failure. In conclusion, female sex, higher age, and smaller height independently predict transradial access failure in coronary angiography and intervention. Failure rate in ST-elevation myocardial infarction is not significantly increased.