A feasibility study on percutaneous forearm vein access for adrenal venous sampling

Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is the criterion standard to distinguish between unilateral and bilateral adrenal disease in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). The femoral vein is the only currently used means of access for AVS. We investigated the feasibility of a transforearm approach for AVS. From August 2014 to August 2015, 48 PA patients underwent AVS via forearm vein by one cardiologist. AVS was technically successful in 45 (93.8%) patients on the right side and in all (100%) patients on the left side. This study suggested that AVS via the forearm veins is feasible, and may be an alternative to the femoral venous access method.