Exploring the path less traveled: Distal radial access for diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology procedures.

Abstract Background Recently there is a trend for radial first which advocates radial artery access as the first choice to perform diagnostic and interventional neurovascular procedures. Although safer than the conventional common femoral artery access, it is associated with a high rate of radial artery occlusion. Distal radial artery access is recently proposed to avoid this complication. This study aims to assess the feasibility and safety of distal radial artery access across a wide range of interventional neurovascular procedures. Materials and methods All Interventional neurovascular cases attempted via distal radial artery access from September 2019 till March 2021 were included in the study. Data regarding patient demographics, distal radial artery diameter, access site cannulation, size of the sheath, procedural details including success rate and complications were collected. Results During the study period, 102 patients underwent 114 procedures via the distal radial artery approach. The mean age of patients was 41.9 ± 15.2 years. Overall procedure success rate via DRA was 94.7% (108/114). 72 diagnostic cerebral angiograms and 36 interventional procedures were successfully completed while six procedures required switching to alternate access. Conclusion Distal radial artery access is a safe and feasible option for diagnostic cerebral angiography and a wide range of neurovascular procedures.