Feasibility and Safety of Radial-First Approach with a Radial-Specific Neurointerventional Guiding Sheath for Intracranial Aneurysm Coiling in the Anterior Circulation

Abstract

Background: In cardiac intervention, the transradial approach (TRA) is increasingly used as the first-line approach owing to numerous advantages over the transfemoral approach. Neurointerventional TRA, especially in intracranial interventions, is predominantly restricted to an alternative approach, as transradial carotid cannulation using a conventional transfemoral system can be technically challenging for patients with unfavorable acute takeoff of the target common carotid artery. This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of first-line TRA with a radial-specific neurointerventional guiding sheath for a large series of consecutive intracranial anterior circulation aneurysm embolizations.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed our institutional database of first-line TRA for consecutive coil embolizations of anterior circulation aneurysms conducted between June 2018 and March 2020. A radial-specific 6-F Simmons guiding sheath (0.088-inch inner diameter) was engaged into the target common carotid artery, and subsequently a triaxial or quadraxial system was created for the embolization procedure. We assessed procedural success and procedure-related or vascular access site complications.

Results: A total of 119 patients with intracranial anterior circulation aneurysms underwent 121 coil embolization procedures. Of these, 101 patients who underwent 103 (85.1%) embolization procedures treated with first-line TRA were included. After the triaxial or quadraxial system was constructed, the embolization procedure was successful for all 103 cases without catheter kinking, system instability, or complications.

Conclusions: A transradial 0.088-inch triaxial or quadraxial system provided sufficient stability and kink resistance for intracranial aneurysm embolization. This method is feasible, highly successful, and safe for intracranial anterior circulation aneurysm embolization.

Keywords: Cerebral aneurysm; Coil embolization; Neurointervention; Radial access; Simmons guiding sheath; Transradial access; Transradial approach.