ABSTRACT
The transbrachial route for cardiovascular intervention was described in 1962 by Sones and Shirley (1). In spite of this, the transfemoral catheterization technique became the preferred approach for vascular access. The small size of the brachial artery, combined with the availability of only bulky and relatively non-flexible devices limited its use. In addition, several large series cited consistently lower complication rates for femoral catheterization, though it was recognized that complications of brachial access were far less likely to be life-threatening than their femoral counterparts (2-4). Contemporary studies demonstrate brachial complication rates that are essentially equivalent or lower than those for femoral access (5,6). Refined techniques, improvement and downsizing of device technology, and routine use of anticoagulants are responsible for this encouraging trend.
