Effects of transradial coronary angiography on radial artery diameter and vasodilatory properties

Effects of Transradial Coronary Angiography on Radial Artery Diameter and Vasodilatory PropertiesObjective: Nowadays, transradial approach is commonly used due to numerous advantages. But there are some datas about the changes of structure of radial artery after the interventation. In our study we aimed to investigate long term outcomes of transradial procedures on radial artery diameter and vasodilatation properties.Material-Methods: 35 patients (28 men, 7 women) who had left transradial coronary angiography with appropiate indication were included to the study. The radial arteries of patients were assessed with high resolution ultrosonography after 6 to 12 months of the transradial coronary angiography. The radial artery diameters were measured at baseline and after flow mediated vasodilatation (FMV) and nitrate mediated vasodilatation (NMV). The right radial artery not used for intervention was used as control.Results: The left radial artery diameter was measured markedly more smaller than the right radial artery diameter (2,80±0,46 vs 3,01±0,46 p=0,005). FMV response in the left radial artery was impaired according to absolute diameter difference. However, NMV response was preserved. Because of the values in the left radial arteries were markedly smaller than ones in the right arteries before FMV and NMV, the values of these after FMV and NMV were smaller than right again.Conclusion: Marked narrowing of radial artery and impaired response of FMV that shows endotel function were found after average 9 months from transradial interventation. If the radial artery that used for interventation wanted to use as a greft for bypasss or a fistule for dialysis structural ve functional changes must be kept in mind.Key words: Coronary angiography, radial artery intervention, radial vasodilation.