Radial artery punctures for diagnostic coronary angiography or coronary balloon angioplasty were performed in 211 patients with a success rate of 98% (207 patients), In the four failed transradial accesses, the procedure was accomplished via the transfemoral route. Major local vascular complications included one arteriovenous fistula, one pseudoaneurysm, and one ischemic contracture of the right hand. Reduced radial pulses were noted in 25 (12%) patients at follow-up without ischemic manifestations, Transradial diagnostic coronary angiography was successfully completed in 184 (98%) of 187 patients. The technical success for balloon angioplasty was obtained in 73 (97%) of 75 patients. Clinical success was observed in 68 (91%) patients; balloon angioplasty resulted in one nonfatal myocardial infarction and four late deaths (3 cardiac and 1 stroke), We believe that transradial catheterization for diagnostic coronary angiography and balloon angioplasty in our relatively small built Chinese population is a safe and practical alternative approach. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
