The Impact of Using a Larger Forearm Artery for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions on Hand Strength: A Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: The exact mechanism underlying hand strength reduction (HSR) after coronary angiography with transradial access (TRA) or transulnar access (TUA) remains unknown. (2) Methods: This study aimed to assess the impact of using a larger or smaller forearm artery access on the incidence of HSR at 30-day follow-up. This was a prospective randomized trial including patients referred for elective coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. Based on the pre-procedural ultrasound examination, the larger artery was identified. Patients were randomized to larger radial artery (RA) or ulnar artery (UA) or a group with smaller RA/UA. The primary endpoint was the incidence of HSR, while the secondary endpoint was the incidence of subjective HSR, paresthesia, and any hand pain. (3) Results: We enrolled 200 patients (107 men and 93 women; mean age 68 ± 8 years) between 2017 and 2018. Due to crossover between TRA and TUA, there were 57% (n = 115) patients in larger RA/UA and 43% (n = 85) patients in smaller RA/UA. HSR occurred in 29% (n = 33) patients in larger RA/UA and 47% (n = 40) patients in smaller RA/UA (p = 0.008). Subjective HSR was observed in 10% (n = 12) patients in larger RA/UA and 21% (n = 18) patients in smaller RA/UA (p = 0.03). Finally, paresthesia was noted in 7% (n = 8) patients in larger RA/UA and 22% (n = 15) in smaller RA/UA (p = 002). Independent factors of HSR were larger RA/UA (OR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24–0.82; p < 0.01) and the use of TRA (OR 1.87; 95% CI, 1.01–34; p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The use of a larger artery as vascular access was associated with a lower incidence of HSR at 30-day follow-up.