Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transradial approach for emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Methods We analysed data from our single-center registry on 560 consecutive patients between January 2001 and October 2009. All the patients were respectively randomised to transradial group (n=260) and trans-femoral group (n=300). A dedicated doctor was appointed to collect such indicators as follows: puncture time, CAG time, PCI time, x-ray exposure time, complication rates associated with puncture such as puncture site bleeding, haematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and the major adverse cardiac events.

Results 1. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics and angiographic findings between two groups. 2. There was no significant differences in CAG time (8±2.4min vs 7.6±2.0min), PCI time (30±4.8min vs 28.6±4.4 min), and x-ray exposure time (4.6±1.4 min vs 4.4±1.3 min) between two groups. 3. The complication rates of TRA was 2.32%(6/260), compared to 6.0% (18/300) in the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion Transradial approach for emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction is safe and efficacy, and it is suggested that the transradial approach should be used in patients with acute myocardial infarction.