The effect of coronary angiography and femoral access on femoral artery distensibility and elasticity

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of access to the femoral artery for the purposes of coronary angiography through the measurement of femoral artery distensibility and elasticity on the accessed and non-accessed sides. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients who underwent femoral angiography at least 1 year previously. Those whose femoral artery was accessed once formed Group 1 (n = 59), those who were accessed twice formed Group 2 (n = 57), those accessed 3 times formed Group 3 (n = 55), and those with more than 3 accesses, Group 4 (n = 60). The groups were compared in respect of femoral artery elasticity and distensibility in the accessed and non-accessed sides. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined in respect of femoral distensibility and elasticity in Group 1 (9.40 ± 0.84 vs 9.48 ± 0.75, p = 0.107 and 0.23 ± 0.03 vs 0.23 ± 0.03, p = 0.433, respectively). However, a significant difference was observed between the two sides in terms of distensibility and elasticity in Group 2 (9.02 ± 0.81 vs 9.23 ± 0.75, and 0.21 ± 0.02 vs 0.22 ± 0.02), in Group 3 (8.49 ± 0.77 vs 9.18 ± 0.9 and 0.19 ± 0.02 vs 0.21 ± 0.02), and in Group 4 (8.14 ± 0.74 vs 9.03 ± 0.81 and 0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.2 ± 0.02, p <0.001, for all comparisons). CONCLUSION: While a single access in the femoral artery for coronary angiography does not affect femoral artery elasticity and distensibility, multiple accesses may have adverse effects.