Dr. Sanjay Patel offers the trans-radial approach for cardiac catheterizations. The technique allows cardiologist to use the radial artery near the wrist as an entry point into the body, rather than the femoral artery in the leg/groin area. By snaking narrow catheters and wires through the body's circulatory highway to the heart, a cardiologist is able to expand a balloon, place a stent and open a blocked artery without surgery.

Trans-radial angioplasty is prevalent in Europe, Japan and India in nearly 40 percent of cardiology cases. In the United States, the femoral approach has been the preferred approach for most percutaneous interventional (PCI) procedures. Only as more cardiologists are trained and gain the necessary skills to use this approach, more patients will have this alternative vascular approach as an option.

Benefits of the Trans-Radial Approach
Specific benefits of the trans-radial approach include:

• Lower rate of blood transfusions and a lower mortality rate compared to the femoral approach
• Increased patient safety with less bleeding complications, hematomas, and possible nerve trauma
• Increased patient comfort since patients may sit up, stand and walk immediately after the procedure rather than having to lie flat for four-six hours with the femoral approach
• Lower complication rates, which equate to a increased patient satisfaction and even cost-savings as complications can be expensive

Is the Trans-Radial Approach for You?
To determine if patients are eligible, a cardiologist will assess whether both radial and ulnar arteries of the hands are functioning normally. Known as the Allen’s test, this involves simply compressing the arteries by hand to confirm whether there is a dual, or protected, blood supply making the trans-radial technique safe. Overall, more than 90% of patients are eligible for this inovative approach for catheterization and angioplasty.

Is the Trans-Radial Approach available for me?
Sanjay Patel, M.D., F.A.C.C. is an interventional cardiologist who trained at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York, and is an expert in performing trans-radial catheterization.

He has performed more than 1,000 trans-radial catheterizations. His primary approach is trans-radial and more than 90 percent of his cases are done via the wrist. He is now performing this procedure at:

0. St. Luke's The Woodlands Hospital
0. St. Luke's Lakeside Hospital
0. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital
0. Conroe Regional Medical Center

Where Can I find more information on Trans-Radial Approach?

• Trans-radial Approach
• Dr. Patel's Interview on www.angioplasty.org