Evaluation of the Distal Radial Artery Diameter at the Anatomical Snuffbox in Thai Patients by Ultrasound Study: Single Center Experienced
Kamonrat Thongplung¹, Chanikarn Kanaderm¹, Anek Kanoksilp¹, Thamarath Chantadansuwan¹
Affiliation : ¹ Department of Cardiology, Central Chest Institute, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Background: The distal radial artery approach at the anatomical snuffbox is another efficacy and safety route for coronary intervention. The procedural success rate depends on the diameter of the distal radial artery.
Objective: To use ultrasound to study the distal radial artery reference diameter and the relationship between the diameter of the distal radial artery and various factors in Thai patients.
Materials and Methods: A non-randomized prospective study was performed between June 2023 and July 2024. Six hundred forty-seven consecutive patients were assessed using a linear ultrasound probe, which was performed by two technicians experienced in right and left distal radial artery measurement.
Results: The mean vessel diameter of the distal radial artery in the anatomical snuffbox, at 2.48±0.28 mm was significantly smaller than that of the radial artery at the traditional puncture site at 2.89±0.29 mm. The distal radial artery was smaller in females than in males at 2.32±0.26 mm versus 2.58±0.24 mm (p<0.001). The right distal radial artery differs from the right radial artery, which was 0.41±0.26 mm and approximately 20% smaller than the radial artery diameter. The proportion of patients with a distal radial artery of less than 2.5 mm was 48.5%. The vessel diameter of the distal radial artery was positively correlated with that of the radial artery diameter (r=0.622, p<0.001), body weight (r=0.273, p<0.001), height (r=0.336, p<0.001), and BMI (r=0.124, p=0.002). On the other hand, the vessel diameter of the distal radial artery is not correlated to age.
Conclusion: The study demonstrated that measuring the distal radial artery at the anatomical snuffbox provided valuable clinical information for vascular access planning. The strong correlation with the conventional radial artery diameter supported its use as a reliable reference, aiding in safer and more effective procedural decisions.
Received 3 April 2025 | Revised 9 October 2025 | Accepted 20 October 2025
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2025.11.870-878-02706
Keywords : Distal transradial artery diameter; Anatomical snuffbox
