Optimizing Common Femoral Artery Access

Does ultrasound guidance decrease femoral access site complications in neurointerventional procedures? A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound has been increasingly used to guide femoral arterial access for neuroendovascular procedures. Its effect on the safety outcomes has yet to be established.

PURPOSE

The purpose is to determine the effect of ultrasound-guided punctures on femoral access site complications (ASC), and to identify other potential predictors of ASC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all the neurovascular cases performed with femoral arterial access between Jan 2016 and Dec 2022. Two groups of patients were selected: the first group had femoral arterial puncture without ultrasound guidance between Jan 2016 and Dec 2017 while the second group received femoral arterial puncture with ultrasound guidance between July 2019 and Dec 2022. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 2347 patients and 3181 procedures were included - 1376 in the non-ultrasound group and 1805 in the ultrasound group. The complication rate of femoral arterial access was 2 % (58/3181). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the ultrasound and the non-ultrasound groups (p-value 0.821). Interventional procedures (in particular EVT), larger sheath size use (>/=7Fr) and DAPT were shown to be the independent predictors of femoral arterial ASC (p-value < 0.001), in both univariable and multivariable analyses. The use of larger sheath size and EVT procedures have lower odds of having complications in the ultrasound group compared to the non-ultrasound group (OR: 0.42 (0.09-1.83); p = 0.249 and OR: 0.64 (0.09-4.59); p = 0.663, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study found that the use of ultrasound does not have statistically significant impact on the safety outcome of femoral arterial access in neuro-endovascular procedures. It is, however, of benefit in high-risk cases. Independent predictors of femoral ASC include interventional vs diagnostic procedures, larger sheath size and DAPT intake. In these high-risk cases, ultrasound guidance helps to minimize femoral ASC.

Sheathless use of Supera stent minimizes access complications in antegrade femoral puncture: Technical note with case series

Antegrade femoral puncture (AFP) is the preferred strategy to treat lower limb obstructive disease. However, the presence of vascular calcification may be associated with procedure related adverse events, impairing endovascular device strategies. We describe a case series of superficial femoral and popliteal artery treatments by Supera stent implantation using a simple technique to significantly minimize the dimension of the antegrade femoral puncture from 6 to 4 French (Fr). All antegrade femoral punctures, crossing femoro-popliteal lesion and predilation were made with 4 Fr introducer. After preparation the Supera stent was navigated in sheathless fashion via 0.018-inch guidewire. Postdilation and final control were made replacing the 4 Fr introducer via the same guidewire. A good final result was achieved. Patients were discharged early without any complications. This minimally invasive technique in cases of infrainguinal peripheral artery disease could be feasible and effective for minimizing the risk of complications in patients with critical limb ischemia.

Transcarotid versus transfemoral access for cerebrovascular intervention: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Cerebrovascular intervention is an excellent option to treat cerebrovascular diseases. Interventional access is a prerequisite and a foundation for cerebrovascular intervention, which is crucial to the success of an intervention. Although transfemoral arterial access (TFA) has become a popular and acceptable method of access for cerebrovascular angiography and intervention in clinical practice, it has some drawbacks that limit the usage in cerebrovascular interventions. Therefore, transcarotid arterial access (TCA) has been developed in cerebrovascular interventions. We aim to conduct a systematic review to compare the safety and efficacy of TCA with TFA for cerebrovascular intervention.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this protocol, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols were followed. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be searched mainly from 1 January 2004, to the formal search date. Additionally, reference lists and clinical trial registries will be searched. We will include clinical trials with more than 30 participants, which reported the endpoints of stroke, death and myocardial infarction. Two investigators will independently select studies, extract data and assess bias risk. A standardised mean difference with 95% CI will be presented for continuous data, and a risk ratio with 95% CI will be presented for dichotomous data. On inclusion of sufficient studies, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis will be conducted. The funnel plot and Egger's test will be used to assess publication bias.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

As only published sources will be used in this review, ethical approval is not required. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022316468.

Analysis of the Common Femoral Artery and Vein: Anatomical Morphology, Vessel Relationship, and Factors Affecting Vessel Size

Background and Objectives: We aimed to analyze the morphology of the common femoral artery (CFA) and common femoral vein (CFV) and the anatomical relationship between the two blood vessels, and to investigate the factors that influence the size of these blood vessels. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 584 patients who underwent abdominal and pelvic computed tomography from 1 February to 28 February 2021. We measured the vessels at three regions on both lower extremities (inguinal ligament, distal vessel bifurcation, midpoint) and analyzed and classified the degree of overlap between the CFA and CFV into three types, as well as the factors affecting vessel size. Results: After comparing the femoral vessels according to location, it was confirmed that the CFA and CFV were larger distally than proximally on both sides (p < 0.001). The degree of overlap increased distally (p < 0.001) but was less at the middle (p < 0.001) and distal (p = 0.011) regions on the right side. It was found that the size of CFA and CFV were related to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) and that malignancy also affects the CFA size. Conclusions: The morphology of the CFA and CFV was conical and increased distally. The degree of overlap between the two blood vessels also increased distally but was less on the right than on the left. Age, sex, and BMI are significant factors affecting the sizes of the CFA and CFV, and malignancy is associated with the CFA size.

Femoral vascular access for endovascular resuscitation

ABSTRACT

Endovascular resuscitation is an emerging area in the resuscitation of both severe traumatic hemorrhage and nontraumatic cardiac arrest. Vascular access is the critical first procedural step that must be accomplished to initiate endovascular resuscitation. The endovascular interventions presently available and emerging are routinely or potentially performed via the femoral vessels. This may require either femoral arterial access alone or access to both the femoral artery and vein. The time-critical nature of resuscitation necessitates that medical specialists performing endovascular resuscitation be well-trained in vascular access techniques. Keen knowledge of femoral vascular anatomy and skill with vascular access techniques are required to meet the needs of critically ill patients for whom endovascular resuscitation can prove lifesaving. This review article addresses the critical importance of femoral vascular access in endovascular resuscitation, focusing on the pertinent femoral vascular anatomy and technical aspects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous vascular access and femoral vessel cutdown that may prove helpful for successful endovascular resuscitation.

Ultrasound-guided arterial catheterization

Ultrasonography facilitates arterial catheterization compared to traditional palpation techniques, especially in small arteries. For successful catheterization without complications, practitioners should be familiar with the anatomic characteristics of the artery and ultrasound-guided techniques. There are two approaches for ultrasound-guided arterial catheterization: the short-axis view out-of-plane approach and the long-axis view in-plane approach. There are several modified techniques and tips to facilitate ultrasound-guided arterial catheterization. This review deals with the anatomy relevant to arterial catheterization, several methods to improve success rates, and decrease complications associated with arterial catheterization.

Hemostasis after percutaneous transfemoral access: A protocol for systematic review

BACKGROUND

Access site hemostasis after percutaneous procedures done in the catheterization laboratory still needs to be better studied in relation to such aspects as the different results achieved with different hemostasis strategies, the impact of different introducer sheath sizes, and arterial versus venous access. The objective of this review is to synthesize the available scientific evidence regarding different techniques for hemostasis of femoral access sites after percutaneous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

METHODS

This review is being reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). The primary outcomes will include the following vascular complications: hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, bleeding, minor, and major vascular complications. The secondary outcomes will include the following: time to hemostasis, repetition of manual compression, and device failure. A structured strategy will be used to search the PubMed/ MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases. In addition, a handsearch of the reference lists of selected studies will be conducted. The ERIC research database will be queried for the gray literature and ClinicalTrials.gov, for potential results not yet published in indexed journals. Two reviewers will independently screen citations and abstracts, identify full-text articles for inclusion, extract data, and appraise the quality and risk of bias of included studies. If possible, a meta-analysis will be carried out. All estimations will be made using Review Manager 5.3. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed by considering the I2 proxy, accompanied with qualitative indicators such as differences in procedures, interventions, and outcomes among the studies. If synthesis proves inappropriate, a narrative review will be undertaken.

RESULTS

This protocol adheres to the PRISMA-P guideline to ensure clarity and completeness of reporting at all phases of the systematic review.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide synthesized information on different methods used to achieve hemostasis after femoral access.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval number CAAE 19713219700005327. The results of the systematic review will be disseminated via publication in a peer-reviewed journal and through conference presentations.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019140794.

The REBOA window: a cadaveric study delineating the optimum site for austere cannulation of the femoral artery for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta

INTRODUCTION

Haemorrhage is the major cause of early mortality following traumatic injury. Patients suffering from non-compressible torso haemorrhage are more likely to suffer early death. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) can be effective in initial resuscitation; however, establishing swift arterial access is challenging, particularly in a severe shock. This is made more difficult by anatomical variability of the femoral vessels.

METHODS

The femoral vessels were characterised in 81 cadaveric lower limbs, measuring specifically the distance from the inferior border of the inguinal ligament to the distal part of the origin of the profunda femoris artery (PFA), and from the distal part of the origin of the PFA to where the femoral vein lies posterior to and is completely overlapped by the femoral artery.

RESULTS

The femoral vein lay deep to the femoral artery at a mean distance of 105 mm from the inferior border of the inguinal ligament. The PFA arose from the femoral artery at a mean distance of 51.1 mm from the inguinal ligament. From the results, it is predicted that the PFA originates from the common femoral artery approximately 24 mm from the inguinal ligament, and the femoral vein is completely overlapped by the femoral artery by 67.7 mm distal from the inguinal ligament, in 95% of subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, proposed is an 'optimal access window' of up to 24 mm inferior to the inguinal ligament for common femoral arterial catheterisation for pre-hospital REBOA, or more simply within one finger breadth.

Are complication rates lower with 4-Fr versus 6-Fr transfemoral arterial access - prospective audit at a single interventional radiology centre

Background

Femoral arterial access constitutes the first step in a significant proportion of interventional endovascular procedures. Whilst existing reports describe sheath size as an independent risk factor for bleeding complications in radial arterial access for coronary intervention, the influence of sheath size on overall complication rates and morbidity following femoral arterial access is not well described. This prospective single centre study reports our experience of vascular sheath size, patient and procedural factors in influencing complication rates following femoral arterial access. From April 2010 to May 2013, data was collected prospectively for all femoral arterial access procedures performed in the Interventional Radiology department of a tertiary hospital. For vascular sheath size <6-Fr, haemostasis was achieved by manual compression. For 6-Fr sheath size, a closure device was used in the absence of any contraindication.

Results

Of the 320 femoral access cases with eligible inclusion criteria, 52.5% had 4-Fr whilst 47.5% had 6-Fr vascular sheaths inserted. Overall post procedure complications rates were significantly higher following 6-Fr sheath (17/152 (11.2%)) versus 4-Fr systems (3/168 (1.8%)) (p=0.0007) mostly comprising self-limiting hematoma. There was no significant difference in major complications that required escalation of treatment.

Conclusion

No significant difference has been demonstrated between the use of either sheath systems for major complications. The practical limitations of a smaller system, combined with existing body of evidence, may not justify the routine use of 4-Fr sheath systems as the primary sheath size for all endovascular procedures.

Vascular access complications in patients undergoing percutaneous procedures in hemodynamics: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map the production of knowledge on vascular access complications in patients undergoing percutaneous procedures in hemodynamic laboratories.

METHODS

Scoping review study. The search strategy was developed in three stages, considering the period from July 2005 to July 2015 in the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and LILACS databases. The collected data were analyzed and summarized in a narrative form.

RESULTS

One-hundred twenty-eight publications that made it possible to map the contexts of study of complications, occurrence according to access routes, as well as an understanding of diagnosis and clinical management, were included. Three theme categories were identified: complications; predictive factors; and diagnosis/treatment.

CONCLUSION

Vascular access site complications range according to the access route used. Knowledge of factors that permeate the occurrence of these events may contribute to early detection, planning, and monitoring of the care implemented.