Large-bore arterial access closure after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

On MANTA vascular closure devices following veno arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: Effectiveness and complications

MANTA vascular closure device is an alternative vascular access closure device that is predominantly designed for large bore arteriotomy procedures. Its implementation to reduce morbidity and mortality following percutaneous procedures including peripheral veno-arterial (VA)-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in critically ill patients with various severe clinical conditions such as refractory cardiogenic shock remains to be under scientific discussion. The use of the MANTA vascular closure device leads to a sufficient reduction in a number of post-decannulation complications such as bleeding, vascular complications, inflammatory reactions and major amputation. Furthermore, the technical success of percutaneous decannulation of VA-ECMO with the MANTA vascular closure device appears to be safe and effective. It has been reported that MANTA vascular closure device exerted a strict similarity with other vascular surgical systems in safe profile regardless of the indication for its utilization. Overall, the immobilized patients achieved a favorable recovery outcome with MANTA including safe decannulation and low risk of vascular complications. The authors suggest the use of pulse wave distal Doppler technology for early detection of these clinically relevant complications. In conclusion, MANTA vascular closure device seems to be safe and effective technical approach to provide low-risk vascular assess for a long time for severe sick individuals.

A propensity-matched comparison of plug- versus suture-based vascular closure after TAVI

BACKGROUND

Vascular access site complications are associated with increased morbidity and mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Current results comparing strategies with plug- (P-VCD; MANTA) and suture-based vascular closure devices (S-VCD; Perclose ProGlide) remain inconsistent.

AIMS

It was our aim to assess the incidence of access-related vascular complications after P-VCD or S-VCD strategies after transfemoral TAVI.

METHODS

The Plug or sUture based vascuLar cloSurE after TAVI (PULSE) registry retrospectively evaluated 10,120 consecutive patients who had undergone transfemoral TAVI at 10 centres from 2016 to 2021. A propensity score was used to match 900 P-VCD patients with 1,800 S-VCD patients in a 1:2 fashion. The primary outcome measures were major and minor access-related vascular complications at the primary access site, adjudicated according to Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 definitions.

RESULTS

The median age was 81.8 years, 46.4% of patients were female, and the median European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II was 3.50%. In matched P-VCD and S-VCD groups, large-bore access-related complications occurred in 14.9% vs 10.3% (p<0.001; major: 3.6% vs 4.6%; p=0.218; minor: 11.3% vs 5.8%; p<0.001) of patients. Bleeding accounted for most of these complications (9.6% vs 7.2%; p=0.028) and was treated with endovascular balloon inflation (5.4% vs 2.6%; p<0.001), stent implantation (4.7% vs 0.7%; p<0.001) or surgical repair (0.7% vs 1.7%; p=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

P-VCD were associated with higher rates of primary access-related vascular complications, driven by minor complications, compared to S-VCD. Endovascular treatment was more common after P-VCD failure.

Reducing Length of Hospital Stay Following Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for severe aortic stenosis across the spectrum of surgical risk cohorts. Subsequently, the dramatic increase in procedural volume worldwide has placed significant financial and logistical pressures on healthcare institutions, particularly regarding hospital length of stay (LOS), which can adversely affect patient flow. In this review article, we discuss different peri-procedural strategies developed to reduce LOS and facilitate early discharge after TAVI.

Femoral Large Bore Sheath Management: How to Prevent Vascular Complications From Vessel Puncture to Sheath Removal

Transfemoral access is nowadays required for an increasing number of percutaneous procedures, such as structural heart interventions, mechanical circulatory support, and interventional electrophysiology/pacing. Despite technological advancements and improved techniques, these devices necessitate large-bore (≥12 French) arterial/venous sheaths, posing a significant risk of bleeding and vascular complications, whose occurrence has been related to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Therefore, optimizing large-bore vascular access management is crucial in endovascular interventions. Technical options, including optimized preprocedural planning and proper selection and utilization of vascular closure devices, have been developed to increase safety. This review explores the comprehensive management of large-bore accesses, from optimal vascular puncture to sheath removal. It also discusses strategies for managing closure device failure, with the goal of minimizing vascular complications.

Use of cangrelor for complex percutaneous coronary intervention in the context of concomitant severe aortic stenosis: a case series

Background

There is a growing need for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to be performed within the same transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure. In such cases, cangrelor, a fast-acting intravenous P2Y12-inhibitor with a short offset, is potential clinical utility to minimize bleeding and vascular complications during large-bore arterial access (LBAA) as well as the thrombotic risk associated with concomitant PCI.

Case summary

We report two cases of TAVI with an indication to concomitant, high-risk PCI. In the first one, cangrelor was started only after LBAA was secured and TAVI completed, just before the initiation of complex PCI. In the second case, due to predicted complex coronary cannulation after TAVI, complex PCI was performed before TAVI and cangrelor started just after LBAA. In both cases, use of cangrelor (vs. pre-treatment with oral P2Y12-i) allowed for a tailored minimization of the risk of bleeding and vascular complications during LBAA while offering full platelet inhibition during a complex/high-risk PCI.

Discussion

In this case series, we illustrate a possible approach to the use of cangrelor for patients undergoing TAVI and complex/high-risk PCI. In such complex cases, thorough pre-procedural planning might include a cangrelor to minimize vascular, bleeding, and ischaemic complications.

Strategies to Minimize Access Site-related Complications in Patients Undergoing Transfemoral Artery Procedures with Large-bore Devices

Large bore accesses refer to accesses with a diameter of 10 French or greater and are necessary for various medical devices, including those used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement, endovascular aneurysm repair stent-grafts, and percutaneous mechanical support devices. Notably, the utilization of these devices via femoral access is steadily increasing due to advancements in technology and implantation techniques, which are expanding the pool of patients suitable for percutaneous procedures. However, procedures involving large bore devices carry a high risk of bleeding and vascular complications (VCs), impacting both morbidity and long-term mortality. In this review article, we will first discuss the incidence, determinants, and prognostic impact of VCs in patients undergoing large bore access procedures. Subsequently, we will explore the strategies developed in recent years to minimize VCs, including techniques for optimizing vascular puncture through femoral cannulation, such as the use of echo-guided access cannulation and fluoroscopic guidance. Additionally, we will evaluate existing vascular closure devices designed for large bore devices. Finally, we will consider new pharmacological strategies aimed at reducing the risk of periprocedural access-related bleeding.

Computed tomography derived anatomical predictors of vascular access complications following transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Vascular complications after percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are associated with adverse clinical outcomes and remain a significant challenge.

AIMS

The purpose of this review is to synthesize the existing evidence regarding the iliofemoral artery features predictive of vascular complications after TAVI on pre-procedural contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in Embase and Medline (Pubmed) databases. Studies of patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI with MDCT were included. Studies with only valve-in-valve TAVI, planned surgical intervention and those using fluoroscopic assessment were excluded. Data on study cohort, procedural characteristics and significant predictors of vascular complications were extracted.

RESULTS

We identified 23 original studies involving 8697 patients who underwent TAVI between 2006 and 2020. Of all patients, 8514 (97.9%) underwent percutaneous transfemoral-TAVI, of which 8068 (94.8%) had contrast-enhanced MDCT. The incidence of major vascular complications was 6.7 ± 4.1% and minor vascular complications 26.1 ± 7.8%. Significant independent predictors of major and minor complications related to vessel dimensions were common femoral artery depth (>54 mm), sheath-to-iliofemoral artery diameter ratio (>0.91-1.19), sheath-to-femoral artery diameter ratio (>1.03-1.45) and sheath-to-femoral artery area ratio (>1.35). Substantial iliofemoral vessel tortuosity predicted 2-5-fold higher vascular risk. Significant iliofemoral calcification predicted 2-5-fold higher risk. The iliac morphology score was the only hybrid scoring system with predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent iliofemoral predictors of access-site complications in TAVI were related to vessel size, depth, calcification and tortuosity. These should be considered when planning transfemoral TAVI and in the design of future risk prediction models.

Strategy for Totally Percutaneous Management of Vascular Injury in Combined Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair Procedures

Minimally invasive treatment of severe aortic stenosis by transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm by endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) requires large-bore vascular access. These percutaneous transfemoral interventions may be performed as a combined procedure, however, vascular injury may necessitate surgical vascular repair. We implemented a strategy designed to enable percutaneous vascular repair, with stent-graft implantation, if necessary, after these combined procedures. We identified all combined percutaneous TAVR and EVAR procedures which were performed at our institution. Patient and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Six consecutive patients underwent total percutaneous combined TAVR and EVAR procedures. In all cases, TAVR was performed first and was followed by EVAR. Both common femoral arteries served as primary access sites for delivery of the implanted devices and hemostasis was achieved by deployment of vascular closure devices. Secondary access sites included the right brachial artery in all patients and superficial femoral arteries in 50% of the patients. In all cases an "0.014" 300-cm length "safety" wire was delivered to the common femoral artery or descending aorta by way of a secondary access site to facilitate stent graft delivery. Successful device implantation was achieved in all cases. Vascular closure device failure occurred in 2 patients and was treated by stent graft implantation by way of the brachial and superficial femoral arteries, without need for surgical vascular repair. A strategy designed to facilitate percutaneous vascular repair after combined EVAR and TAVR procedures may enable a truly minimally invasive procedure.

Impact of Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC-3) minor access site vascular complications in patients undergoing percutaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 minor access site vascular complications (VCs) in patients who underwent percutaneous transfemoral (TF) transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous TF-TAVI from 2009 to 2021. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed to compare early and long-term clinical results between patients with VC and without VC (nVC).

RESULTS

A total of 2161 patients were included, of whom 284 (13.1%) experienced access site VC. Propensity score analysis allowed to match 270 patients from the VC group with 727 patients from the nVC group. In the matched cohorts, the VC group showed longer operative times (63.5 vs 50.0 min, P < 0.001), higher operative and in-hospital mortality (2.6% vs 0.7%, P = 0.022; and 6.3% vs 3.2%, P = 0.040, respectively), longer hospital length of stay (8 vs 7 days, P = 0.001) and higher rates of blood transfusion (20.4% vs 4.3%, P < 0.001) and infectious complications (8.9% vs 3.8%, P = 0.003). Overall survival during follow-up was significantly lower in the VC group (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.82, P = 0.031) with 5-year survival rates being 58.0% (95% CI 49.5-68.0%) and 70.7% (95% CI 66.2-75.5%) for the VC and nVC groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study observed that minor access site VCs during percutaneous TF-TAVI can be serious events affecting early and long-term outcomes.