Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) through transfemoral access has already proven its great benefits, but this access cannot be used in certain patients, and alternative accesses need to be considered for such cases. One of the most commonly used accesses is the transaxillary or transubclavian access (AX), which, however, is associated with more complications (especially…
Subclavian and Axillary Access for TAVR: a Valid Alternative
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. The femoral approach is preferred when it comes to TAVR, but sometimes it is not viable. This is when other access sites come into play, such as the trans-subclavian/axillary (TS/TAx), the apical, transcaval, transcarotid (TC) or transaortic. At present, few studies have looked into this matter, which is why it…
Transcaval Access Is Safe in TAVR
Courtesy of Dr. Carlos Fava. One of the limitations to percutaneous interventions is poor or impossible femoral access. This happens especially in TAVR, with endoprosthesis or ventricular assistance devices, when the transcaval approach with cardiac occluder rises as a viable alternative. We have started to use it in TAVR, but at present there is little…