Distal radial angioplasty is a procedure in which a cardiologist swiftly reaches the patient’s heart via the artery in the back of the hand to open a blocked heart artery to restore circulation to the heart.
Surgery among elderly: Is it safe? (Photo credit: Pexels)
New Delhi: In complicated medical emergencies, timely intervention may determine the thin line between life and death. In one of such incident, man recent went through a harrowing heart attack ordeal. The case has been an example of advancement in medicine that has been revolutionising cardiac care.
Explaining the procedure and incident, Dr Sanjay Chugh, Associate Director and Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Narayana Hospital, Gurugram told News9, “It began with what seemed like a mundane complaint – a burning sensation in the upper abdomen dismissed as mere ‘gas.’ Little did he know that beneath this discomfort lurked a silent assailant, orchestrating a cardiac catastrophe. The experience and expertise of a vigilant cardiologist can catapult such cases from the brink of disaster to the realm of recovery. Hence, his life was saved with timely intervention and with an advanced procedure.”
“His case not only underscores the critical nature of swift medical action but also sheds light on a groundbreaking procedure – distal radial angioplasty – (a step ahead of radial angioplasty which is done through the wrist ) revolutionising cardiac care,” he added.
Amidst the urgency of the situation, the diagnosis reveals the grim reality – an ongoing heart attack silently gnawing at the patient’s vitality for a staggering ten hours.
Importance of time
In a race against time, the decision to eschew conventional protocols and opt for distal radial angioplasty emerged as a beacon of hope amidst the looming shadows of uncertainty.
Distal radial angioplasty, a relatively novel technique, offered a paradigm shift in the landscape of cardiac interventions. Dr Chug said, “By accessing the radial artery through the back of the hand, it circumvented the pitfalls of traditional approaches, mitigating the risks of bleeding and vascular complications of femoral access and even beyond the risk of compartment syndrome a rare consequence of unchecked bleeding into forearm with standard radial access which is done through the wrist.”
What is Distal Radial angioplasty?
Distal radial angioplasty is a procedure in which a cardiologist swiftly reaches the patient’s heart via the artery in the back of the hand to open a blocked heart artery to restore circulation to the heart. It is now widely accepted as a transformative procedure which has proven efficacy in salvaging lives just as with radial access. A significant number of patients have benefited from its timely application world wide. Very few operators in India can perform distal radial angioplasty because lack of training and expertise.
But what sets distal radial angioplasty apart from its predecessors?
Contrary to conventional practices, where the femoral artery reigns supreme, the radial route not only minimises procedural hazards but also heralds a marked reduction in mortality rates.
The significance of choosing any radial route over the traditional method, which often involves accessing the leg, becomes apparent when considering the risks involved. When going through the leg, there’s a 3 per cent chance of bleeding and vascular complications, significantly higher than the mere one-tenth risk associated with the hand or wrist approach. In fact, in cases of heart attack, patients who undergo angioplasty through the hand have almost half the risk of dying compared to those treated through the leg.
This conclusion is supported by extensive meta-analyses of numerous randomised controlled trials, as highlighted in our recent review on the subject published in the Indian Heart Journal.
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