Application of transradial approach with shaped Judkins R catheter in coronary angiography

Objectives To probe the efficacy and feasibility of the transradial approach for diagnostic coronary angiography with shaped Judkins R catheter. Methods Two hundred and forty three patients, including 139 men and 104 women, aged 38-78 years, received transradial coronary angiography from March 2006 to August 2007, were divided into 3 groups by different types of catheter. Seventy-eight patients used 5F universal Terumo catheter; 67 patients used 6F Judkins catheter (JL3.5、JR4.0); 98 patients used 6F Judkins R catheter including 75 patients used shaped Judkins R catheter. The procedure success rates, duration of operation and fluoroscopy, spasm rates of radial artery between groups were compared. Results The average duration of operation and fluoroscopy in 5F universal Terumo catheter group and Judkins R catheter group were lower than that in 6F Judkins catheter group (P0.05). The procedure success rates of 5F universal Terumo catheter group and 6F Judkins catheter group were higher than that of Judkins R catheter group (P0.05), but the success rate was significantly higher in shaped Judkins R catheter (88%) than that in normal Judkins R catheter (61%)(P 0.05). There were lower spasm rate of radial artery in 5F universal Terumo catheter group and Judkins R catheter group than that in 6F Judkins catheter group (P0.05). Conclusions Transradial coronary angiography with shaped Judkins R catheter is safe and efficient to perform if universal catheter is not available. Correctly shaping of Judkins R catheter plays a key role in the safety, efficacy and quality of transradial coronary angiography.