An observational comparison of distal radial and traditional radial approaches for coronary angiography.

Background: Several studies have recently reported regarding feasibility and safety of distal transradial access (d-TRA) in the anatomical snuff-box (ASB); however, literature comparing it with the conventional TRA at the wrist (w-TRA) is sparse. This study compares the technical efficiency and safety of ASB and wrist approaches for TRA for coronary angiography (CAG) and evaluates the radial artery (RA) anatomy at these sites.

Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing CAG via w-TRA or d-TRA (100 in each group) were investigated.