The brachial artery as approach for catheter interventions--indications, results, complications.

Background: Evaluation of the technical practicability of the acute results and complications with transbrachial catheter interventions.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective investigation of 156 catheter interventions with 147 patients within the period of 4/2000 to 12/2003. Target vessel, technical success, complications and in- or out-patient' practicability received special consideration.

Results: The intervention was technically successful in 94%, 10 times segment obliterations of the distal femoral artery could not be recanalised. Renal arteries and mesenteric arteries going off steeply, processes of the femoral bifurcation, bypass stenosis, bilateral distal vascular processes as well as difficult puncturable or not puncturable inguinal arteries are particularly suitable for transbrachial procedure. Three complications arose, two haematoma, conservatively treated, and one cerebrovascular insult.

Conclusions: Many vascular processes can be treated without any problem by transbrachial approach. The technical success rates are very high. The interventions can be realized without hospitalisation of the patient, except for some special cases (renal arteries and mesenteric arteries). The complication rate is low, condition is a large experience of the examiner.