Distal Versus Conventional Transradial Artery Access for Coronary Catheterization in Patients With STEMI

Gaining vascular access is the first, mandatory step for undertaking percutaneous coronary angiography and interventions. The recent guidelines, published by European Society of Cardiology (ESC), American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA) and Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), propose TRA as the gold standard for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently, a novel distal transradial, through anatomical snuffbox, approach has been proposed. The existing literature has evaluated distal transradial access (dTRA) as a feasible and safe approach, with faster hemostasis, lower rates of periprocedural complications and reduced incidence of radial artery occlusion (RAO). Mutual point of all the previous RCTs is that excluded patients suffering from ST-elevation Myocardial Infraction (STEMI). Aim of the present study is to compare dTRA versus conventional TRA access in patients with STEMI undergoing coronary angiography and interventions regarding peri- and post-procedural characteristics.