Systemic Heparinization for Femoral Percutaneous Coronary Arteriography

THROMBOEMBOLIC complications during percutaneous coronary arteriography have frequently been described.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Three university hospitals reported higher morbidity and mortality during coronary arteriography performed by the Judkins percutaneous femoral than with the Sones right brachial arteriotomy technic.3 The two methods employ different types of catheters, with guide wires used only in the Judkins procedure. At the beginning of the Sones procedure approximately 5000 U of "local" heparin are usually injected into the artery to prevent local thrombosis. Heparin injection is not routine during the Judkins procedure. During both methods the catheter is flushed frequently with dilute heparin solution. It is now evident . . .