Early post-procedural patients compliance and VAS after UAE through transradial versus transfemoral approach: preliminary results

Purpose: The aim of our study is to verify VAS and patient compliance in the immediate post-procedural time, in patients undergoing UAE through radial approach versus femoral procedure. Methods: Between January and September 2017, 30 consecutive patients (age range 28–47, average 32 years) were enrolled for the study. UAE was performed by two interventional radiologists with more than 10 years of experience and more than 100 cases of UAE done. Patients were divided into two groups: transfemoral approach (group a, n = 15 patients) and transradial approach (group b, n = 15 patients). After procedure, patients were questioned about the compliance using the questionnaire at 24 h and VAS rating at 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. Results: The average of VAS in group b was lower than in group a in each evaluation at 6 h (p < 0.20), 12 h (p < 0.07), 18 h (p < 0.02) and 24 h (p < 0.22) on the basis of Mann–Whitney U test, however, without a clear scientific evidence. Also the compliance score at 24 h had better results in the group b (average 14.0, range 13.0–16.0) in comparison with group a (average 18.0, range 17.0–21.4) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Transradial approach improves the compliance and VAS of patients undergone to UAE.