The Transradial Approach for Lower Extremity Vascular Intervention

Simultaneous technological advancements in both imaging as well as devices have resulted in an expansion of endovascular options for vascular access. In particular, radial access has traditionally been more favored for coronary interventions; its use in the aortoiliac and lower extremity vasculature has been constrained by the length of devices and the size of sheaths required. However, with increasing catheter shaft lengths, in addition to new thin-walled sheaths allowing for downsizing, the ability to perform transradial interventions on infrainguinal and infrageniculate vessels has been more readily facilitated. In this review, we analyze the potential for transradial therapies in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).