We performed a meta-analysis of all available studies comparing right radial access and left radial access for coronary procedures. Corrected standardized mean difference (Hedges' g) and odds ratios (OR) were used to estimate the mean effect respectively for continuous variables and frequencies.
The present analysis includes 14 studies with 7603 procedures. A statistically significant difference in the amount of contrast medium utilized for the procedure (0.12 [0.03-0.21], p = 0.007), in fluoroscopy time (0.16 [0.06-0.25], p = 0.001) and in total procedural time (0.22 [0.11; 0.33], p < 0.001) was observed in favor of the left radial access. At the same time, no significant difference in the rate of procedural failure was observed between the right and the left radial access routes (OR = 1.01 [0.70-1.47], p = 0.942).
Left radial access is associated to a modest yet significant reduction in fluoroscopy time, procedural time and in the amount of contrast medium administered, while failure rate was similar between right and left radial approaches.