RAndomized Comparison of raDIal vs. femorAL Access for Routine Catheterization of Heart Transplant Patients (RADIAL-Heart Transplant Study)

Transplantation Proceedings 2014; 46(10): 3262-3267.

Aims
To compare the safety and efficacy of transradical approach (TRA) versus a transfemoral approach (TFA) for coronary angiography in orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) patients.

Interventions
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either TRA or TFA.

Participants
Forty-nine OHT patients scheduled for a routine coronary angiogram.

Outcomes
The primary outcome was the amount of contrast used during the diagnostic procedure. Secondary outcomes included procedure time, fluoroscopy time, number of catheters used, and crossover to other access route.

Follow-up
Up to hospital discharge

CET Conclusions
This was the first randomised study comparing radial (TRA) versus femoral artery (TFA) access for routine catheterisation of heart transplant patients. It is a carefully done study and the primary endpoint was the amount of contrast used during the procedure. This was less following the TFA approach. The fluoroscopy time and hence the dose for radiation was less also in the TFA group. Although hospital stay and procedural time was less with TRA, the TFA appeared to be more efficient and did not require a learning curve for the interventional cardiologist.

Jadad score
3

Data analysis
Strict intention-to-treat analysis

Allocation concealment
No

Trial registration
None

Funding source
Not reported