Endovascular Therapy of the Superficial Femoral Artery Via a Stand-Alone Transradial Access: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE

We describe our experience in transradial recanalization of the superficial femoral artery (SFA), and we provide a stepwise approach accounting for the patient's height and optimizing the yield of currently available devices.

METHODS AND

RESULTS

Fifteen patients with simple SFA disease, including 4 patients with total SFA occlusions <15 cm, were selected for stand-alone transradial recanalization. A 6F, 125-cm multipurpose guiding catheter was used to cannulate the limb of interest and support device delivery. The procedure was successful in all patients and consisted of balloon angioplasty (using 0.014″, 200-cm shaft monorail balloons) in all patients, and orbital atherectomy in 6 patients. We illustrate the steps and challenges of the transradial approach, namely the limited support in complex disease and the limited reach of current equipment.

CONCLUSION

In patients with simple SFA disease, transradial recanalization appears feasible and safe but currently limited to balloon angioplasty ± orbital atherectomy. Proximal SFA stenting may be feasible in patients <160 cm in height.