Angioplasty.Org Home




Editor's Blog



Imaging and Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease












Donate Now to Angioplasty.Org

    

Transradial (Wrist) Approach to Angiograms or Angioplasty

What was your experience if you had an angiogram or angioplasty where the forearm/wrist was used for catheter access?

Add a Post to This Topic          Return to all Forum Topics

Current Postings on This Page (9):

• Requested this procedure in 1999 prior to CABG to avoid having to lay on my back for 6 hours--post angiogram experience much better than femoral artery site.
Jim Lohman, retired, San Antonio, Texas, USA, May 4, 2008

• I had 2 drug-eluting stents inserted via my right wrist in Nov 08,at the Freeman Hospital I walked down for the procedure,climbed up on the bed,lay down & watched as it (I wouldn't call it an operation) was carried out, for me it was a "Walk in the park" after about an hour & a half of very interesting viewing, "I asked for and received 2 before & after pictures" I got up & was taken back to the main ward, the splint on my wrist was rather uncomfortable if I moved my arm certain ways "So I didn't" as I have said for me it was "a Walk in the park".
John Gibson, Gateshead, England, May 2, 2008

• I.H. -- thanks for the query. We recently started a list of hospitals that practice transradial in our Hospital Locator. There is no listing for a DC-based hospital, but we'll do some further research into that. There are a couple listings in Virginia, and also Maryland (e.g., Johns Hopkins). We'll update you on any new information.
Forum Editor, Angioplasty.Org, April 17, 2008

• Transradial approach for angioplasty - I would like to find doctors that are skilled in this procedure. I live in the Washington DC area but would be willing travel.
I.H., Washington, DC, USA, April 16, 2008

• Found the whole procedure just fantastic. The only downside I have up to now is that subsequent to the angiogram I have a coldness or tingling in my right upper bicep/leg. I have been told that this will go with time.
Andy P., Sligo Ireland, November 23, 2007

• I has a single stent inserted in August 07 via my wrist. There was no problem with this, and it has healed well. Like others , all i could feel was a pushing sensation but no pain. The only thing that hurt was the injection of local anesthetic!!!
Kim Mitchell, Northamptonshire UK, October 8, 2007

• My mother had 3 stents done this way at Mayo Clinic in 2002. She was 89 at the time. She had no issues/problems with the procedure. She is now 94 and will be undergoing the same procedure again.
Mary S., Illinois, USA, August 19, 2007

• I underwent an angioplasty procedure at the wrist on 14th Aug 07 and had four stents fitted (two being of the drug coated type). There was no pain at all and only very minor discomfort as the catheter was inserted, a slight pushing feeling in the arm. The sensation when the dye was inserted was not particularly uncomfortable and felt like a "burst" of warmth. The procedure took about two hours. There was no discomfort on removing the catheter. My right forearm felt heavy for half an hour and the sealing dressing was removed after about 12 hours. Only very slight discomfort at the entry site. More pain at the dentist having a filling.
Bob C., England, August 15, 2007

• I had 2 drug-eluting stents to LAD 21st august 2006 (see my post nov 23rd 2006 in "not feeling well after angioplasty") via the radial approach. Although the cardiologist was a specialist in the radial approach, I found that the initial insertion was quite painful. But after that it was almost painless -- just a bit of discomfort during the rest of the procedure.The big plus point was that I could get up and walk around without having to worry about bleeding or damaging the wound almost immediately after the procedure. I would opt to have the radial rather than the femoral every time (i've had both) if I had the choice. I have only one small complaint -- I no longer have a pulse in my right wrist but I think i can live with that!
Mike, Wales, UK, August 15, 2007

Radial Access Center

add your response
(Please keep your posting concise; a posting that is too long may be edited for readability) :

your email address
(email address must be current and valid; if email sent to the address
below is returned, your comments will not be posted; your email address
will not be displayed on the Forum unless you specifically request it): REQUIRED -- Check the box below to let us know you are a "real human being" and not a spambot. You must check this box for your posting to be submitted: I am a real person and not a spambot Check the box below if you wish Angioplasty.Org to "anonymize" your posting (for example, John Doe, Baltimore, Maryland, USA would become John D., Maryland, USA): please anonymize me The following information is optional. your name:

your organization:

city/state/province/country:


Please note the following disclaimer: The information contained in this web site is accurate to the best of the knowledge of Angioplasty.Org. None of this information should be viewed as a substitute for medical advice or as a consultation with a medical doctor. It is highly recommended that readers discuss any advice with a medical doctor before deciding on a course of action. Angioplasty.Org or its producers assume no liability for any actions taken as a result of information contained on this site, whether implied or expressed. Opinions and recommendations expressed on the FORUM are solely those of their authors. All submissions are reviewed and posted at the editors' discretion. FORUM submissions that are primarily commercial in nature, advertising services or products, are not posted. Any medical advice expressed on the FORUM does not necessarily represent the views of Angioplasty.Org, its producers, or of anyone associated with it, or of others appearing on this web site. Please note that this is a moderated discussion, so your response will appear after a short review.


Angioplasty.Org Home •  PatientCenter


send comments & suggestions to "info at angioplasty dot org"
read Terms of Use and Privacy statement

The Cardiology Patients' Forum
receives sole support from
reader contributions and sponsored search engine ads

Angioplasty.org is an independent educational health site
which receives support from
Toshiba America Medical Systems, Volcano Corporation, Terumo Medical Corporation
Cardium Therapeutics, Inc. and Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of NY
All content, including text, photos and video
© Copyright Venture Digital LLC 1996-2008