Evaluation of the ulnopalmar arterial arches with pulse oximetry and plethysmography:: Comparison with the Allen's test in 1010 patients

Background To avoid ischemic hand complications, the percutaneous transradial approach is only performed in patients with patent hand collateral arteries, which is usually evaluated with the modified Allen's test (MAT). This qualitative test measures the time needed for maximal palmar blush after release of the ulnar artery compression with occlusive pressure of the radial artery. The objectives were to evaluate the potency of the hand collateral arteries and to compare MAT with combined plethysmography (PL) and pulse oximetry (OX) tests before the percutaneous transradial approach. Methods Patients referred to the catheterization laboratory were prospectively examined with MAT, PL, and OX tests. PL readings during radial artery compression were divided into 4 types: A, no damping; B, slight damping of pulse tracing; C, loss followed by recovery; or D, no recovery of pulse tracing within 2 minutes. OX results were either positive or negative. Results of both tests were compared in 1010 consecutive patients. Results MAT results less than or equal to9 seconds on either hand were seen in 93.7% of patients. PL and OX types A, B, or C on either hand were seen in 98.5% of patients. On the basis of the MAT :less than or equal to9 seconds criteria, 6.3% of patients were excluded from the transradial approach, whereas with PL and OX types A, B, and C, only 1.5% of patients were excluded. There was more exclusion in men and with increasing age by using both methods. Conclusions In the evaluation of hand collaterals, PL and OX were found to be more sensitive than MAT. When applied to transradial approach screening, only 1.5% of patients were not suitable candidates for the transradial approach.