Transradial arterial chemoembolization reduces complications and costs in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To improve patient comfort and reduce complications, clinical benefit of a transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) was evaluated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: A total of 284 patients with HCC for TACE was divided into transradial approach group (n = 126) and transfemoral approach group (n = 158). These two groups of cases were retrospectively compared with regard to complications, the procedural time, X-ray exposure time, length of hospitalization, and hospital costs.
Results: There were lower incidence rates of complications including abdominal distension (42.85% vs. 87.97%, P> 0.001), vomiting (53.17% vs. 77.22%, P < 0.001), lumbago (1.59% vs. 97.46%, P < 0.001), and dysuria (0% vs. 62.03%, P < 0.001) in the transradial group as compared with the transfemoral group. The time required for catheterization and total X-ray exposure time were less in the transradial group compared with the transfemoral group (Pall < 0.001). The hospital stay time and costs required for catheterization were less in the transradial group compared with the transfemoral group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, hepatic angiography and TACE were completed in 100% and 99.2% cases in transfemoral and transradial groups, respectively.
Conclusions: Transradial approach for TACE improves quality of life in patients with HCC by offering fewer complications and lower costs compared with transfemoral approach.