Published online Jul 26, 2017. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v9.i7.609
Peer-review started: February 1, 2017
First decision: May 11, 2017
Revised: May 24, 2017
Accepted: June 12, 2017
Article in press: June 13, 2017
Published online: July 26, 2017
Processing time: 183 Days and 4 Hours
To sythesize the available literature on hand dysfunction after transradial catheterization.
We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE. The search results were reviewed by two independent judicators for studies that met the inclusion criteria and relevant reviews. We included studies that evaluated any transradial procedure and evaluated hand function outcomes post transradial procedure. There were no restrictions based on sample size. There was no restriction on method of assessing hand function which included disability, nerve damage, motor or sensory loss. There was no restriction based on language of study. Data was extracted, these results were narratively synthesized.
Out of 555 total studies 13 studies were finally included in review. A total of 3815 participants with mean age of 62.5 years were included in this review. A variety of methods were used to assess sensory and motor dysfunction of hand. Out of 13 studies included, only 3 studies reported nerve damage with a combined incidence of 0.16%, 5 studies reported sensory loss, tingling and numbness with a pooled incidence of 1.52%. Pain after transradial access was the most common form of hand dysfunction (6.67%) reported in 3 studies. The incidence of hand dysfunction defined as disability, grip strength change, power loss or any other hand complication was incredibly low at 0.26%. Although radial artery occlusion was not our primary end point for this review, it was observed in 2.41% of the participants in total of five studies included.
Hand dysfunction may occur post transradial catheterisation and majority of symptoms resolve without any clinical sequel.
Core tip: Transradial access (TRA) is default access site in many countries to perform coronary procedures. Hand function may occur post TRA, however our review shows that its incidence is exceedingly low and most symptoms resolve without any clinical sequel.