The Journal of invasive cardiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Prospective comparison of palpation versus ultrasound-guided radial access for cardiac catheterization.
Radial access is increasingly used for both diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures. Prospective data comparing ultrasound- versus palpation-guided radial catheterization are largely lacking. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided radial access seems to provide no substantial additional benefit over palpation-guided access alone. Attempting the alternative guiding methods to establish radial access before crossover to femoral access seems to be a reasonable approach.