Influence of transradial versus transfemoral diagnostic heart catheterisation on peripheral vascular endothelial function

AIMS: Endothelium dysfunction has been reported in patients (pts) undergoing transradial catheterisation. Alterations of the hand microcirculation possibly associated with systemic inflammation have never previously been reported. We aimed at investigating possible alteration of hand endothelial microcirculation secondary to transradial heart catheterisation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We randomised 40 pts with stable angina undergoing coronary angiography to either transradial (TR, n=20) or transfemoral (TF, n=20) approach. At baseline (BL), 24 hours (24 hrs) and 30 days (FU: follow-up) after catheterisation we assessed: a) peripheral endothelial function (EndoScore [ES]) by peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT); b) biomarkers of endothelial turnover (sE-Selectin) and inflammation (hs-CRP). No clinical or angiographic differences were observed between the two groups. At 24 hours, ES (BL: 0.42±0.27 vs. 24 hours: 0.27±0.19, p