The transradial procedure for
diagnostic catheterization was first described In the late 1980's
by a French-Canadian physician, Dr. Lucien Campeau.
By 1992 a
group in Amsterdam, headed by Dr. Ferdinand Kiemeneij, had
begun exploring ways to use the radial artery for interventional
procedures,
such as delivering balloons and stents. They were somewhat
limited by the early equipment, but as catheters and stents
became lower
profile, thinner and easier to manipulate, the ability of physicians
to use the radial artery increased.
This chart shows the rapid
adoption of the radial technique in France, following the
first Transradial Workshop, held in 1997. |