Distal vs. Forearm Radial Artery Access

"The patient grasps his thumb towards the palm to bring the radial artery up to the surface. The left hand is set on the right side of the groin toward the operator, who stands on the right side, with the dorsal surface of hand upwards.~Afterward, the access site is disinfected, lidocaine HCL is SC injected for local anesthesia. Subsequently, the distal radial artery is palpated to find the point of the strongest pulse. Later, at a 45-degree angle, the artery is punctured with a 21-gauge needle and a 0.018 soft, flexible, metallic wire is then inserted in the needle. Through the sheath, 200 micrograms of Nitroglycerin is given. A 5000 unit of unfractionated heparin is administered through the IV line. A weight-adjusted dose of heparin is further added if PCI is needed. Then, a 0.035 wire is introduced in the sheath with other required instruments such as the intracoronary device and the catheters. After pulling out the sheath, a compression device, Safe Guard, is used for hemostasis."

"The right hand is set in the anatomical position, with the anterior surface of arm face upwards.~Afterward, the access site is disinfected, lidocaine HCL is SC injected for local anesthesia. Subsequently, the forearm radial artery is palpated to find the point of the strongest pulse. Later, at a 45-degree angle, the artery is punctured with a 21-gauge needle and a 0.018 soft, flexible, metallic wire is then inserted in the needle. Through the sheath, 200 micrograms of Nitroglycerin is given. A 5000 unit of unfractionated heparin is administered through the IV line. A weight-adjusted dose of heparin is further added if PCI is needed. Then, a 0.035 wire is introduced in the sheath with other required instruments such as the intracoronary device and the catheters. After pulling out the sheath, a compression device, TR band, is used for hemostasis."