Radial versus femoral access for coronary angiography and intervention is associated with lower patient radiation exposure in high-radial-volume centres: Insights from the RAY'ACT-1 study

Arch Cardiovasc Dis. 2017 Mar;110(3):179-187. doi: 10.1016/j.acvd.2016.09.002. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

Abstract

Background: Literature suggests that radial access is associated with higher radiation doses than femoral access.

Aims: To compare patient radiation exposure during coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with radial versus femoral access.

Methods: RAY'ACT is a nationwide, multicentre, French survey evaluating patient radiation in interventional cardiology. Variables of patient exposure from 21,675 CAs and 17,109 PCIs performed at 44 centres during 2010 were analysed retrospectively.

Results: Radial access was used in 71% of CAs and 69% of PCIs. Although median fluoroscopy times were longer for radial versus femoral access (CA, 3.8 vs 3.5minutes [P<0.001]; PCI, 10.4 vs 10.1minutes [P=0.001]), the Kerma-area product (KAP) was lower with radial access (CA, 26.8 vs 28.1Gy·cm2; PCI, 55.6 vs 59.4Gy·cm2; both P=0.001). Differences in KAP remained significant in the multivariable analysis (P<0.01), and in a propensity score-matched analysis (P=0.01). A significant interaction was found between KAP and the percentage of procedures with radial access by centre (P<0.001). KAP was higher by radial versus femoral access in low-radial-volume centres, and lower in high-radial-volume centres. Radiation protection techniques, such as the use of low frame rates (7.5 frame/s), were used more frequently in high-radial-volume radial centres.

Conclusions: In this multicentre study, radial access was associated with lower radiation doses to patient than femoral access in high-radial-volume centres. Provided that radioprotection methods are implemented, radial access could be associated with lower patient radiation exposure.

Keywords: Angioplastie coronaire; Coronarographie; Coronary angiography; Kerma-area product; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Produit dose-surface; Radial access; Radiation protection; Radioprotection; Voie radiale.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / adverse effects
  • Catheterization, Peripheral / methods*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Coronary Angiography / adverse effects
  • Coronary Angiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Femoral Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • France
  • Hospitals, High-Volume*
  • Hospitals, Low-Volume
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Safety
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / adverse effects
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / methods*
  • Propensity Score
  • Punctures
  • Radial Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiation Exposure / adverse effects
  • Radiation Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology
  • Radiation Injuries / prevention & control
  • Radiation Protection
  • Radiography, Interventional
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors