Abstract

Purpose: Typically, before the Y90 Radioembolization procedure undergoes, a CT is completed and the Barbeau test followed by radial artery ultrasound is used to determine if the artery is sufficiently large for vascular access. 2.5 mm is the average radial artery diameter, and a vessel measurement of 2.0 mm is the recommended minimum diameter for safe vessel access, but a diameter of 1.5-2.0 mm can be accessed. Our study explores using common femoral artery measurements from the pre-procedure CT abdomen/pelvis to assess in a binary manner if the vessel is sufficiently large to use for radial artery access.

Materials and methods: All computed tomography scans of Yttrium-90(Y90) Radioembolization of the liver tumor procedures from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Medical records were used from 47 procedures to gather patients’ age, gender, Avastin use, femoral artery size (mm), administer Y90 (%), history of diabetes, and smoking status were recorded.

Results: The minimum femoral artery size in patients who underwent transradial artery Y90 liver tumor Radioembolization was 6 mm, with a mean femoral artery size of 10 mm. A comparative analysis of Y90 liver tumor uptake revealed no significant difference in Radioembolization tumor uptake based on the initial site of procedure, trans femoral or transradial artery, (p>0.81229).

Conclusion: The study suggests that femoral arteries can predict radial artery diameter and that a femoral artery diameter of 10 mm should yield high confidence that the patient will be a candidate for transradial approach.