Background: A proven advantage of radial over femoral arterial access has led to an increase in the number of interventions performed via radial artery access in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Both assessment of the pulse volume and the Allen’s test are subjective and subject to investigator bias. An ultrasound examination of the forearm arteries provides important information about the anatomy of the forearm vessels, and indirectly also about the efficiency of collateral blood supply to the hand. It also enables determination of the relevant vessel diameter before the planned intervention, and may be used to assess local complications.

Aim: To assess the morphology of forearm blood vessels and measure the diameter of both radial and ulnar arteries at the cannulation site using ultrasound imaging. We also aimed to identify potential vascular anomalies and local complications associated with radial artery puncture.

Methods: The study included 109 patients with cardiologic indications for coronary angiography or coronary angioplasty. An ultrasound evaluation of forearm arteries was performed prior to the intervention, and the vascular anatomy was later verified by angiography during the procedure. Ultrasound measurements of the vessel diameter were also performed and local complications of the cannulation were assessed. Measurements were performed immediately after the procedure and at 30 days and 12 months.

Results: Fifty-nine right and 50 left forearm arteries were evaluated. Women were 29% of the study population. The mean patient age was 59.2 ± 7.9 years. The mean diameter of the right radial artery was 2.17 ± 0.54 mm, and the mean diameter of the left radial artery was 2.25 ± 0.43 mm. The measurements revealed gender-related differences in forearm artery diameter (p = 0.003). Vascular anomalies of the radial artery were identified by ultrasound examination in 10% of subjects. A significant dilatation of the cannulated blood vessel was observed which lasted up to 12 months. An occlusion of the cannulated artery was demonstrated in 6.4% of patients.

Conclusions: Ultrasound imaging is a reliable method to evaluate the diameter of forearm arteries and track their course in patients undergoing invasive cardiovascular procedures via radial artery access. The diameter of the radial artery by ultrasound evaluation is larger compared to that of the ulnar artery. The diameter of forearm arteries in women is smaller compared to men. A dilatation of the radial artery which may last up to 12 months develops following its percutaneous cannulation. Ultrasound imaging allows detection and monitoring of local complications such as radial artery occlusion. An unfavourable ratio of blood vessel diameter to the size of the used introducer sheath is a predictor of radial artery occlusion. Ultrasound imaging enables reliable evaluation of vascular anomalies involving the radial artery, especially within the distal forearm.