Vertebral artery stenting via radial artery access: a clinical study

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy, the advantages and disadvantages, the indications and contraindications of percutaneous radial artery approach technique used for vertebral artery stenting and to discuss its main technical points. Methods: A total of 36 patients, who were unsuitable for transfemoral approach management to perform vertebral artery stenting or unwilling to lie in bed after operation, received the vertebral artery stenting via radial artery pathway (radial group). In the same period, vertebral artery stenting via femoral group was carried out in another 52 patients (femoral group). The success rate of arterial puncturing and the procedure, the occurrence of complications, etc. were calculated, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results: In the radial group the success rate of arterial puncture and the stent implantation was 97.2% (35/36) and 88.9% (32/36) respectively, and the incidence of complications was 5.6% (2/36). In the femoral group the success rate of arterial puncture and the stent implantation was 98.1% (51/52) and 96.2% (50/52) respectively, and the incidence of complications was 26.9% (14/52). No significant difference in the success rate of both arterial puncture and stent implantation existed between the two groups (χ2=0.09378 and χ2=0.8087, both P>0.05). But the difference in the occurrence of complications was statistically significant between the two groups (χ2=5.17, P<0.05). Mild stagnation of blood at puncturing site was observed in two patients of the radial group. No hematomas, pseudoaneurysms or arterio-venous fistulae developed. Conclusion: Percutaneous radial artery approach technique used for vertebral artery stenting is safe and effective with fewer complications. Therefore, this technique can be regarded as an alternative for vertebral artery stenting. (authors)