Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Even though the performance of coronary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures through the distal forearm arteries has become a well-established practice, only a small minority of procedures employ transcarpal approach. The aim of this review is to describe the state of art in cardiac catheterization through distal forearm arteries, to point out the advantages and disadvantages of this approach, and to discuss the specific aspects in which it differs from the transfemoral approach. ⋯ The current data give a favorable view of this procedure as long as its specific requirements in terms of pretreatment, choice of materials, technique, post-procedural care, and expertise of the physician are taken into account.