Transradial cardiac catheterization in liver transplant candidates

Transradial (TR) cardiac catheterization is effective and offers lower rates of vascular complications and bleeding compared with transfemoral cardiac catheterization. We sought to describe the safety and feasibility of TR cardiac catheterization in liver transplant candidates (LTCs). We retrospectively reviewed 1,071 consecutive cases of TR cardiac catheterization in 1,045 patients from May 2008 to December 2011 at a single institution. The primary end point was radial approach failure. Ten percent of TR cases (n = 107) were performed in LTCs and 90% (n = 964) were performed in non-LTCs. The LTC group had lower rates of cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. The LTC group had a significantly lower platelet count (75,000 vs 237,000/mm³, p <0.01), higher international normalized ratio (1.7 vs 1.1, p <0.01), and lower mean arterial pressure (78 vs 89 mm Hg, p <0.01). The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 21 in LTCs. Percutaneous coronary interventions were performed in 4% of LTCs and 15% of non-LTCs (p <0.01). The radial approach failure rate was 10% in LTCs and 7% in non-LTCs (p = 0.15). In conclusion, radial approach failure was similar between the LTC and non-LTC groups. Despite significant differences in platelet count and international normalized ratio, there was no difference in the incidence of adverse events between the groups, suggesting that TR cardiac catheterization is safe and effective in LTCs.