Hand artery gateway to Dx and Tx CAD
September 1, 1998 less than 1 minute read
Hand artery gateway to Dx and Tx CAD
University of Wisconsin Hospital doctors in Madison have begun using a small artery in the wrist to diagnose and treat some forms of coronary artery disease (CAD). Radial artery catheterization is just as safe as traditional catheterization through the leg, but enables patients to be up and around three times more quickly. Most patients vastly prefer the wrist approach because after leg catheterization, they must lie flat in bed after the catheter is removed to give the artery time to heal and reduce the risk of bleeding. This usually takes six hours or longer if doctors immediately open the blocked arteries with angioplasty or stenting. With radial artery catheterization, patients can get up within two hours. The artery is so small it can be compressed with a bandage after the procedure, and patients can be sent home the same day. The catheterization is an option for about 90% of patients who need catheterizations. The remaining 10% tend not to have adequate blood flow to the wrist but remain candidates for leg or arm catheterizations.
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