Left radial approach for coronary angiography: results of a prospective study.

Although radial approach has been shown to be feasible for coronary angiography, angioplasty, and even stent placement, there have been no prospective evaluations of ease and safety of left radial approach for coronary angiogram. We examined procedural duration and success as well as complications in 415 consecutive patients. Radial artery occlusion was assessed immediately post-procedure and at 2 month follow-up using echo-Doppler measurements.