The Effects of Local Heating on Facilitating Radial Angiography: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Angiography through the radial artery is a novel selective approach with several advantages. Shortening the duration of each stage of the procedure leads to many benefits for patients and health personnel. This study aimed to investigate the effect of local forearm heating on facilitating radial angiography.

Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial included one intervention and one control group with a post-test design. The study was conducted on 80 radial angiography candidates visiting the angiography ward, at Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran, in 2018. The subjects were selected through convenient sampling and allocated to control and intervention groups using simple random allocation. The data were collected using a demographic form and radial angiography checklist. The intervention consisted of using an infrared emitter fixed 60 cm from the patient's forearm. Infrared radiation was applied for 10 min for each patient to warm the radial artery. Afterward, the radial angiography procedure was carried out. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software (v. 16) (p < 0.05).

Results: The frequency and duration of artery puncture, the necessity of injecting a radiocontrast agent, the necessity of catheter replacement, the duration of fluoroscopy, and the volume of the radiocontrast agent in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Local heat in radial angiography is recommended for facilitating the procedure and improving patient welfare and peace.