Hepatic vein access for pulmonary vein isolation in patients without femoral vein access

Transhepatic Access for Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy With Dextrocardia and Inferior Vena Cava Interruption

We report a successful percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy via left transhepatic venous access in a 42-year-old female patient with dextrocardia, situs inversus totalis, and inferior vena cava interruption. fWe also discuss the revisions required for optimal trans-septal approach from the left transhepatic vein.

A case of combined pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and watchman implant through hepatic vein in a patient with interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC)

This case report describes a successful procedure involving pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and left atrial appendage (LAA) closure with a watchman device in a 78-year-old male with atrial fibrillation and an interrupted inferior vena cava. Due to the vascular anomaly, a transhepatic approach was used, which proved successful.

Percutaneous transhepatic access for catheter ablation of a patient with heterotaxy syndrome complicated with atrial fibrillation: A case report

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias, and radiofrequency catheter ablation is the most effective treatment strategy. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is a common approach for radiofrequency ablation of AF. However, this approach may not be applied to some cases such as chronic venous occlusions, surgical ligation of the IVC, and heterotaxy syndrome (HS).

CASE SUMMARY

A 68-year-old man with HS suffered from severely symptomatic persistent AF for 9 years, and we successfully ablated by percutaneous transhepatic access.

CONCLUSION

In patients without femoral vein access, the use of the hepatic vein for pulmonary vein isolation is a viable alternative for invasive electrophysiology procedures.

Systematic review of electrophysiology procedures in patients with obstruction of the inferior vena cava

AIMS

The objective of the study was to conduct a systematic review to describe and compare the different approaches for performing cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedures in patients with interrupted inferior vena cava (IVC) or equivalent entities causing IVC obstruction.

METHODS

We conducted a structured search to identify manuscripts reporting EP procedures with interrupted IVC or IVC obstruction of any aetiology published up until August 2020. No restrictions were applied in the search strategy. We also included seven local cases that met inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The analysis included 142 patients (mean age 48.9 years; 48% female) undergoing 143 procedures. Obstruction of the IVC was not known before the index procedure in 54% of patients. Congenital interruption of IVC was the most frequent cause (80%); and, associated congenital heart disease (CHD) was observed in 43% of patients in this setting. The superior approach for ablation was the most frequently used strategy (52%), followed by inferior approach via the azygos or hemiazygos vein (24%), transhepatic approach (14%), and retroaortic approach (10%). Electroanatomical mapping (58%), use of long sheaths (41%), intracardiac echocardiography (19%), transesophageal echocardiography (15%) and remote controlled magnetic navigation (13%) were used as adjuncts to aid performance. Ablation was successful in 135 of 140 procedures in which outcomes were reported. Major complications were only reported in patients undergoing AF ablation, including two patients with pericardial effusion, one of whom required surgical repair, and another patient who died after inadvertent entry into an undiagnosed atrioesophageal fistula from a previous procedure.

CONCLUSION

The superior approach is most frequent approach for performing EP procedures in the setting of obstructed IVC. Transhepatic approach is a feasible alternative, and may provide a "familiar approach" for transseptal access when it is required. Adjunctive use of long sheaths, intravascular echocardiography, electro-anatomical mapping and remote magnetic navigation may be helpful, especially if there is associated complex CHD. With careful planning, EP procedures can usually be successfully performed with a low risk of complications.