Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of radial and ulnar artery diameters and blood flow, before and after percutaneous coronary interventions

Abstract

Aim: Although the transforearm approach is considered a safe and effective option for percutaneous coronary intervention, the different characteristics of the radial and ulnar arteries deserve attention. This study aimed to evaluate radial (RA) and ulnar artery (UA) diameter and blood flow parameters changes after catheterization. Material and method: A total of 328 patients were enrolled. Their artery (171 RA and 157 UA) diameter and flow parameters [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and pulsatility index (PI)] were evaluated before and after catheterisation. Results: After RA catheterization, the diameters and PSV decreased in the RA (from 2.71 +/- 0.66 to 2.47 +/- 0.51, p=0.007; from 44.7 +/- 8.3 to 33.9 +/- 9.5, p=0.021) and increased in the UA (from 2.49 +/- 0.83 to 2.59 +/- 0.58, p=0.033; from 48.3 +/- 11.9 to 59.6 +/- 11.0, p<0.001). After UA catheterization, the diameters and PSV decreased in UA (from 2.53 +/- 0.65 to 2.49 +/- 0.77 mm, p=0.173; from 51.2 +/- 13.1 to 44.3 +/- 10.7 cm/s, p=0.081) and increased in RA (from 2.67 +/- 0.54 to 2.76 +/- 0.43 mm, p=0.040; from 41.8 +/- 10.3 to 48.6 +/- 7.9 cm/s, p=0.054). Conclusions: The marked increase in the diameter and PSV of the non-catheterized artery may indicate compensatory changes in the hand arterial network. Acute wall changes may have led to an increase in total wall thickness and a modest decrease in lumen size and blood flow velocity in the catheterized artery.