Transradial Access for Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Comparison with Transfemoral Access.

PURPOSE: To compare safety, efficacy, radiation exposure and patients comfort in patients of transradial access (TRA) in patients undergoing TARE compared with transfemoral access (TFA) including patient radiation exposure and patient comfort.

METHODS

A total of 222 patients undergoing technetium-99 m macro-aggregated albumin and TARE were retrospectively reviewed from 2017 to 2022. We analyzed procedure-related pain, quality of life, recovery time, procedure time, fluoroscopy time (FT), air kerma product and air kerma (AK) to compare the two access for intervention for HCC.

RESULTS

A total of 222 [(TFA (n = 147) and TRA (n = 75)] patients who underwent TARE for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included. No significant difference was found regarding FT and DAP in comparison of TRA and TFA. (p = 0.385, p = 0.842). While the mean AK was 892.7 mGy in TFA patients, it was 545.2 mGy in TRA patients and there was statistically significant difference (p = 0.017). Patients who underwent TRA had significantly shorter hospital stays, and recovery times compared to those who underwent TFA (p = 0.001, p = 0.001). In terms of both mental health and physical function, TRA versus TFA has been observed to produce more favorable outcomes (p = 0.044, p = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

TRA access for TARE procedures significantly enhances patient comfort and satisfaction. The total radiation dose exposed to the patients who underwent TRA access was found to be significantly lower than the patients who underwent TFA access.