Electrophysiological Assessment of Paresthesia in Patients Following Radial Angiography: A Prospective Study

Background: Radial angiography, preferred for its safety and comfort in percutaneous coronary interventions, occasionally leads to paresthesia—a tingling or numbing sensation in the hand. This study aimed to investigate the presence of nerve damage in patients experiencing paresthesia post-radial angiography through electrophysiological examination.

Methods: This prospective study involved 77 patients who developed hand paresthesia following radial angiography. Excluded were those with malignancy, pregnancy, pace-makers, or recent angiography. Nerve conduction studies were performed using the Neuropack MEB 9102K EMG device, assessing sensory and motor amplitudes, latencies, and velocities of median, ulnar, and radial nerves.

Results: The study included 77 patients (23 females, 54 males; average age 58.39 ± 10.44 years). In 11 diabetic patients, polyneuropathy was detected. For the remaining 66 patients, electrophysiological evaluations showed no significant pathological findings. Comparative analysis of both upper extremities revealed no significant differences in nerve conduction parameters between the side where angiography was performed and the other side. Despite paresthesia complaints, no electrophysiological evidence of nerve damage was found, suggesting that symptoms might be due to local irritation rather than direct nerve injury. This aligns with the safety profile of radial angiography and underscores the importance of distinguishing between transient paresthesia and serious nerve complications.

Conclusion: Paresthesia post-radial angiography, while clinically notable, is not typically associated with nerve damage. This study is significant as it is the first in the literature to demonstrate that radial angiography does not cause nerve damage.