Transradial left main PCI is safe and effective

Multiple large randomised trials including more than 18,000 patients comparing transradial vs. transfemoral access for coronary intervention have shown that transradial access improves outcomes including major vascular complications, bleeding and mortality1-3. The largest trial, the MATRIX trial (Minimizing Adverse Haemorrhagic Events by TRansradial Access Site and Systemic Implementation of angioX, N=8,404) showed a reduction in all-cause mortality with transradial compared to transfemoral access1. However, some operators have been reluctant to use transradial access in complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) such as left main due to the need for larger bore access and increased guide support.

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