The safety and feasibility of bilateral radial approach in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

Few studies have reported results for transradial (TR) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of bilateral radial PCI for CTO lesions. Eighty-five consecutive patients with CTO lesions received PCI via a bilateral TR approach. A high radial artery puncture (10-15 cm above styloid process) accommodating a 7 Fr catheter (85 cm long) was used for a retrograde approach, and a 6 Fr catheter was used in the other radial artery for an antegrade approach. Retrograde wiring was conducted primarily or after failure of antegrade wiring. Mean duration of CTO was 42.8 ± 54.9 months. Vessels with occlusions attempted were the left anterior descending artery (40.0%; 34/85), right coronary artery (58.8%; 50/85), and left circumfex artery (1/85). PCI re-attempts were made in 41.2% of the cases. The overall success rate was 87.1%. Retrograde wiring was successful in 61/85 cases (71.8%), via septal collaterals followed by epicardial collaterals and saphen-ous vein graft. There were no major complications (30 day in-hospital death, Q wave myocardial infarction, or emergency bypass surgery), or serious access site complications. For experienced TR-PCI operators who are already doing complex TR coronary interventions, the bilateral radial approach for CTO lesions appears feasible and safe.