Right transradial coronary angiography in the setting of tortuous brachiocephalic/thoracic aorta ("elephant head"): Impact on fluoroscopy time and contrast use.

MedStar author(s):
Citation: Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions. 99(2):418-423, 2022 02.PMID: 33491870Institution: MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute | MedStar Heart & Vascular InstituteForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Elephants | Animals | Aorta, Thoracic/dg [Diagnostic Imaging] | Cardiac Catheterization/ae [Adverse Effects] | Cardiac Catheterization/mt [Methods] | Coronary Angiography/ae [Adverse Effects] | Coronary Angiography/mt [Methods] | Female | Fluoroscopy | Humans | Male | Radial Artery/dg [Diagnostic Imaging] | Treatment OutcomeYear: 2022Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1996 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1996 - 2006ISSN:
  • 1522-1946
Name of journal: Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & InterventionsAbstract: BACKGROUND: Unfavorable anatomy with severe brachiocephalic/thoracic tortuosity, referred to as an "elephant head," remains a significant obstacle for RTCA.CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing RTCA with significant brachiocephalic/thoracic aorta tortuosity, "elephant head," a Tiger catheter can be used efficiently for curvatures <1 cm from the middle of the spine. We propose that for curvatures >1 cm, operators should consider immediately switching to a JL catheter. Copyright (c) 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.METHODS: We reviewed the coronary angiograms of patients who underwent RTCA and had tortuous aortas. Angiography was attempted first using a universal catheter (Tiger) and switched to a left coronary specific catheter (Judkins Left [JL]) if challenging. Fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, and greatest distance from the patient's midline to the catheter in the aorta were recorded.OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact on fluoroscopy time and contrast use in patients with tortuous brachiocephalic/thoracic aortas undergoing right transradial coronary angiography (RTCA) and provide strategies to manage.RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (62.6 +/- 12.0 years, 69.4% male) were included. Fifteen (30.6%) patients underwent successful angiography with a Tiger catheter; 34 (69.4%) patients required switching to JL catheter. The average distance of Tiger catheters to the midline of the spine was 0.78 +/- 0.41 cm versus 1.28 +/- 0.44 cm (p = .001) in JL catheters. Tiger catheter use resulted in less fluoroscopy time (6.48 +/- 4.73 min) and contrast use (58.87 +/- 43.53 ml) than in cases switched to JL (13.26 +/- 10.76 min [p = .026]; 86.5 +/- 69.95 ml [(p = .017]).All authors: Case BC, Chen Y, Chezar-Azerrad C, Forrestal BJ, Hashim H, Khalid N, Khan JM, Musallam A, Shlofmitz E, Waksman R, Yerasi COriginally published: Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions. 2021 Jan 25Fiscal year: FY2021Digital Object Identifier: ORCID: Date added to catalog: 2021-02-17
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Journal Article MedStar Authors Catalog Article 33491870 Available 33491870

Available online from MWHC library: 1996 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1996 - 2006

BACKGROUND: Unfavorable anatomy with severe brachiocephalic/thoracic tortuosity, referred to as an "elephant head," remains a significant obstacle for RTCA.

CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing RTCA with significant brachiocephalic/thoracic aorta tortuosity, "elephant head," a Tiger catheter can be used efficiently for curvatures <1 cm from the middle of the spine. We propose that for curvatures >1 cm, operators should consider immediately switching to a JL catheter. Copyright (c) 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

METHODS: We reviewed the coronary angiograms of patients who underwent RTCA and had tortuous aortas. Angiography was attempted first using a universal catheter (Tiger) and switched to a left coronary specific catheter (Judkins Left [JL]) if challenging. Fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, and greatest distance from the patient's midline to the catheter in the aorta were recorded.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact on fluoroscopy time and contrast use in patients with tortuous brachiocephalic/thoracic aortas undergoing right transradial coronary angiography (RTCA) and provide strategies to manage.

RESULTS: Forty-nine patients (62.6 +/- 12.0 years, 69.4% male) were included. Fifteen (30.6%) patients underwent successful angiography with a Tiger catheter; 34 (69.4%) patients required switching to JL catheter. The average distance of Tiger catheters to the midline of the spine was 0.78 +/- 0.41 cm versus 1.28 +/- 0.44 cm (p = .001) in JL catheters. Tiger catheter use resulted in less fluoroscopy time (6.48 +/- 4.73 min) and contrast use (58.87 +/- 43.53 ml) than in cases switched to JL (13.26 +/- 10.76 min [p = .026]; 86.5 +/- 69.95 ml [(p = .017]).

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