A prospective randomized study of right coronary artery catheter engagement: Williams versus Judkins

Catheters for selective engagement of the right coronary artery have
traditionally been based on rota-tional or torque manipulation. Anatomic
restraints of the aortic arch and variations in the *typical* location of the
right coronary artery in the right aortic sinus, have limited the development
of catheters that engage this vessel directly without torque or rotation.
Previous studies evaluated different catheters for engagement of the right
coronary artery in comparison to the traditional approach using the Judkins
right catheter, however, a definite benefit of these catheters has not been
demonstrated so far. Decreased time to insert and engage the right coronary
artery will shorten fluoroscopic times and limit the amount of contrast, which
importantly will decrease the side effects of diagnostic catheterization. In
clinical practise, the first approach to engage the right coronary artery is by
using the Judkins catheter, and if this fails a different catheter is used,
such as the Williams catheter.

To investigate the difference between the Williams and Judkins catheter in
engagement of the right coronary artery during diagnostic catheterization with
respect to technical success and fluoroscopic times. Secondary end points will
be dislocation of the catheter, technical success and image quality.

Single blinded (patient blinded), randomized study. The cardiac catheterization
will be performed according to the standard procedure.

Cardiac catheterization/coronary angiography.

There is no additional risk of this study for the patient.