Accessing the heart through a blood vessel in the wrist
Transradial catheterization is a form of cardiac catheterization in which doctors use the radial artery, located in the wrist, as a pathway to diagnose and treat many conditions, including coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. The advantages of the procedure include:
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Faster recovery
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Less pain
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Less risk of bleeding
Our Interventional Cardiology Program is a national leader in this technique, and the doctors at MedStar Health use it in 80 percent or more of their cases — double the national average. Patients can recover in the hospital’s dedicated Radial Recovery Lounge after their procedures.
What to expect from transradial catheterization
You will most likely be awake for the procedure, and will receive medication to help you relax and to numb the wrist area. Your doctor will place a small catheter in your radial artery and insert a guide wire. The doctor will thread the guide wire through your blood vessels until it reaches the correct area of your heart.
Next, the doctor will place a thin, flexible tube called a catheter over the guide wire and thread it to the same spot before removing the wire. The catheter will carry tools or medications that the doctor will use. After the procedure is done, the doctor will remove the catheter from your wrist.
Afterward, you’ll wear a wristband that will keep pressure on your wrist. You’ll be able to sit up and walk around right away. Most patients are able to go home the same day, though someone will need to drive you.
Conditions
Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, the body’s largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction (MI), requires emergency medical attention. A heart attack happens when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.
Kawasaki Disease
Kawasaki disease is a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and can result in heart disease.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when blood flow to the arms and legs is reduced due to narrowed or blocked arteries.
Tests
Angiogram (Angiography)
An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology used to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Pulse Volume Recording
Pulse volume recording tests are used to evaluate blood flow through the arteries in your arms or legs.
Stress Tests
Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms and chemically induced stress tests.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Itshac Ben-Dor, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Brian Christopher Case, MD
Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology & Internal Medicine
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Hayder Dhafir Hashim, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Scott Michael Katzen, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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David B. Peichert, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Emidio Puliti, FNP-C
Interventional Cardiology
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Toby Rogers, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Abhinav Sood, MD
Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Jessica V Stehman, PA-C
Interventional Cardiology
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Ron Waksman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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John Chung-Yee Wang, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Interventional Cardiology
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Gaby Weissman, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Imaging
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Srinivas Addala, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Terence Bertele, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Nancy Jo Davenport, MD
Interventional Cardiology
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Rajendra R. Shetty, MD
Interventional Cardiology
Show All
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Rd. Clinton, MD 20735
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Dr. Baltimore, MD 21237
MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Dr. Olney, MD 20832
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Rd. NW Washington, DC, 20007
Additional information
Interventional cardiology program
We have one of the highest volume heart catheterization programs in the mid-Atlantic region, averaging nearly 12,000 procedures annually.
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.