TRANSRADIAL CATHETERISATION
Latest clinical advancements have devised an approach for performing cardiac catheterization by using the radial artery in the wrist instead of the femoral artery in the groin to gain access to arteries leading up to and into the heart.
Termed as ‘Transradial Access’ this gentler approach has a number of advantages over the femoral cardiac catheterization procedure.
What is Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions of the heart. During a transradial catheterization procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted into the radial artery of the arm and guided to the heart. When the catheter reaches the heart, it can be used to:
- Detect any blockages or abnormalities
- Take a blood or muscle sample
- Measure blood pressure and oxygen levels
- Repair or replace heart valves
- Detect and repair congenital heart defects
- Perform an angioplasty
- Perform a balloon valvuloplasty
- Correct arrhythmia
According to recent studies it has been estimated that India, with more than 1.2 billion people, is estimated to account for 60 percent of heart disease patients worldwide and out of the same atleast 82 million have some form of established cardiovascular disease. In many cases, people who experience chest pain or who experience an emergent event-such as a heart attack- undergo cardiac catheterization to determine what level of heart damage or disease may be. The procedure also may be used to open blocked arteries that are limiting blood flow through the heart and preventing oxygenated blood from travelling properly to the body. Cardiac Catheterization is performed on more than one million Indians each year.
What is Transradial Coronary Catherization?
For many years, the preferred entry point for a cardiac catheterization has been in the groin area through the femoral artery. However, an innovative option is called radial catheterization, which involves insertion of the catheter through the radial artery in the wrist.
In a typical cardiac catheterization, a cardiologist inserts a small thin tube into the femoral artery near the groin and advances it into the aorta to assess cardiac function and the coronary arteries. The same procedure, when it is performed through the wrist via the radial artery, is called transradial cardiac catheterization.
The transradial approach reduces the risk of bleeding, significantly speeds recovery, and improves patient comfort.
What are the advantages of the ‘Transradial Access’?
The main advantages are:
- Faster recovery
- Easier site access-wrist
- Less bleeding
- No restriction of movement-no compulsion of lying on your back still for hours
- Less pain
- Fewer complications
- Lesser chances of infection
- No requirement of blood transfusion
How does transradial access benefit older patients?
This technique is most beneficial for older patients. Patients with the following complications can benefit the most:
- Patients with respiratory and pulmonary issues- who have cough and breathing problems.
- Patients with spine problems- backpain- who have difficulty in lying down in one position for hours.
- Patients who are obese
How does the transradial access benefit the women?
Indian women are by majority conservative and refrain from showing their private parts for any reason. The femoral access is through the groin region, thus making women apprehensive about the cardiac catheterization. However the transradial access through the wrist empowers the women-it not only provides her a better access route but also gives her the comfort & privacy.
In Paras Hospitals, due to awareness, women now opt for the ‘Transradial Access’ and benefit from the same.
How often are patients treated for their cardiac problems through the ‘Transradial Access’?
In Paras Hospitals, 90% of the cardiac interventions are performed by the state- of-the-art transradial procedure. The entire cardiology department is skilled to perform all tranradial coronary interventions. This technique is used extensively in Europe, China & Japan. Fewer skilled interventional cardiologists are a major reason for its limited use in India.
Can all patients have transradial access cathterisation?
Unfortunately, not all patents can have radial artery cathterisation. To be a candidate, patients must have good blood supply to their hands, through both the radial artery and the ulnar artery. The blood supply from both arteries has to be good.
Does this procedure involve any complications?
The most important advantage of this technique is its fewer complications. The transradial access provides lower bleeding site complications and lesser chances of infection.
The easier access site makes the patients more comfortable and reduces the risk of any hematoma formation.
Is the cost for this treatment more?
No. It should be noted that principally the procedure being performed is cardiac cathterisation, hence although the skill and precision required for performing the same through transradial access is more, the cost in Paras Institute of Cardiac Sciences is the same. It is the earnest endeavour of the cardiologists in Paras Hospitals to provide you the care and the comfort of international standards at affordable costs.
After how many hours can a patient get discharged after the procedure?
Post cardiac cathterisation through transradial access, a patient can sit, walk and move around after 15-20 minutes. This time duration is for the patient to normalize. In comparison to the femoral cardiac catheterization, the patient can sit comfortably and perform all work related activities. The patient shall have only a band aid to cover the site of access.
