Distal transradial access via snuffbox for cardiac catheterization: a review

Vascular access is an essential component of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention. The choice of access site significantly impacts on procedural outcome. Distal transradial access (dTRA) via the anatomical snuffbox has emerged as an alternative to the conventional transradial approach. This article presents an analysis of dTRA, examining its anatomical considerations, procedural aspects, and clinical outcomes. While dTRA offers potential benefits such as improved patient comfort and a reduced risk of radial artery injury, challenges remain, including a steeper learning curve for operators and limitations in specific patient populations. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of dTRA, enabling informed decisions regarding its adoption and advancement in contemporary cardiac catheterization.