Tag Archives: coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

Introduction Invasive coronary angiography is the definitive diagnostic test for assessing coronary artery patency.1 For many years, the femoral artery was the usual vascular access site for such procedures, but use of the radial artery has increased due to it being more superficial and easier to compress following the procedure. In the UK, the radial artery was used in about 10% of all coronary angiograms in 2004, and this steadily increased to 84% by 2016.2 Advantages of the radial approach include better haemostasis,3,4 earlier ambulation and increased patient satisfaction.5,6 Randomised trials comparing radial access coronary angiography