Comparison of safety of radial and femoral approaches for coronary catheterization in interventional cardiology.

Background: The femoral approach has been the preferably used access in interventional cardiology as well for coronary diagnostics as for percutaneous coronary intervention, being perceived as easy and facilitating quick access with relatively low risk. Due to the results of the latest studies, however, the radial approach has become increasingly popular. The aim of this study was a safety analysis of cardiological interventional procedures (i.