A prospective randomized clinical trial of the use of fluoroscopy in obtaining femoral arterial access.

Background: There is no consensus on the utility of fluoroscopy in obtaining common femoral artery (CFA) access.

Methods: Patients weighing < 136.4 kg (300 lbs) with palpable femoral pulses undergoing coronary angiography were randomized to arterial access with or without the use of fluoroscopy (using the center of the femoral head as the optimal site to enter the artery).