Research Supports Heart Catheter Procedures That Start in the Arm

Accessing the heart through an artery in the arm leads to less bleeding than going in through a leg artery. But sometimes doctors have no choice.

Published: May 21, 2015

The majority of coronary catheter procedures are still done by inserting the catheter in the femoral artery in the upper leg and guiding it up to the heart. But recent research suggests that going in through an artery in the arm-using the radial or ulnar arteries-may be a safer choice.