Radial Artery Calcification in Predicting Coronary Calcification and Atherosclerosis Burden

Abstract

Background. Atherosclerosis is a systemic arterial disease with heterogeneous involvement in all vascular beds; however, studies examining the relationship between coronary and radial artery calcification are lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the two sites and the prognostic value of radial artery calcification (RC) for coronary artery disease. Methods. This is a single-center, retrospective cross-sectional study based on Doppler ultrasound of radial artery (RUS) and coronary artery angiography (CAG). We included a total of 202 patients undergoing RUS during distal radial access and CAG at the same procedure, between December 2020 and May 2021, from which 103 were found having RC during RUS (RC group) and 99 without (NRC group). Coronary calcifications were evaluated either by angiography examination (moderate and severe), positive CT (>100 Agatson units), or intracoronary imaging (IVUS, OCT). Results. A significant correlation was observed between radial calcification and coronary calcification variables (67.3% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.001 ). The correlation between risk factors such as age, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus was higher while sex did not play a role. The need of PCI and/or CABG was higher in the RC group (60% vs. 44%, p = 0.02 ). RC, therefore, predicts the extent and severity of coronary artery disease. Conclusion. RC may be frequently associated with calcific coronary plaques. These findings highlight the potential beneficial examination of radial arteries whenever CAD is suspected.

The Role of Ultrasound in Accessing the Distal Radial Artery at the Anatomical Snuffbox for Cardiovascular Interventions

“…Plaque formation, calcinosis, reduced lumen, or occlusion are accessible for diagnosis ( Figure 6 , panel C). A recent study found a significant correlation between radial calcification and coronary calcification; therefore, US may even play a key role in predicting severe coronary artery disease [ 25 ]. Moreover, the multivariable logistic regression found a strong correlation between risk factors such as age, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus and radial artery calcification [ 25 ].…”

“…A recent study found a significant correlation between radial calcification and coronary calcification; therefore, US may even play a key role in predicting severe coronary artery disease [ 25 ]. Moreover, the multivariable logistic regression found a strong correlation between risk factors such as age, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus and radial artery calcification [ 25 ]. This helps to understand how metabolic systemic diseases affect even the far end of the arterial tree [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Approaches to Peripheral Artery Disease in Diabetes: Are There Any Differences?

“…The phenotypic manifestations of atherosclerosis vary in each individual and throughout the body; it is not fully understood why plaque formation has such a heterogeneous distribution, although different arterial systems are correlated [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Moreover, risk factors (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, etc.)…”

Lower Patient Height and Weight Are Predisposing Factors for Complex Radial Arterial Catheterization

“…However, due to the small sample size in our study, an effect may not be excluded with certainty. A recent study by Achim et al revealed a further interesting aspect, demonstrating that radial artery calcification is correlated with coronary calcification and plaque burden requiring revascularization [ 24 ]. This suggests that radial ultrasound may also be useful for preoperatively identifying patients with significant coronary atherosclerosis, underlining the role of the anesthesiologist in screening for relevant comorbidities.…”