Routine ultrasound-guided femoral access and use of one vascular closure device for femoral hemostasis after TAVR: feasibility and safety

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The transfemoral TAVR is a safe and effective treatment for severe and symptomatic aortic stenosis, regardless of the surgical risk profile. The vascular access and hemostasis are fundamental steps of the procedure and have impact on the prognosis. Traditionally, the arterial hemostasis has been obtained through the use of 2 or more vascular closure devices (ProGlide, Perclose) or the association of vascular closure devices (suture + collagen). Nevertheless, the reduction of sheet size and routinary use of ultrasound guided puncture, the use of one vascular closure device could be effective in obtaining hemostasis in such patients. METHODS: Observational, prospective study, including patients submitted to transfemoral TAVR through March/2020 to April/2022. The arterial access was obtained with ultrasound assistance on all cases. From September/2021 we initiated the institutional protocol with the use of one Perclose after obtaining the femoral access (pre-closure technique). We evaluated the need for additional vascular closure devices, the presence of femoral stenosis of > 50% (according to femoral angiography at the end of the procedure) and the occurrence of bleeding (according to the VARC-III criteria). RESULTS: In the period, a total of 75 patients were submitted to transfemoral TAVR on our institution. We used 1 Perclose in 31 patients (Group A) and 2 Perclose devices on 44 patients (Group B). The characteristics of the patients at baseline; mean age of 77 7.32 years, 39% were female, and mean STS score of 3.6%. There were no significant differences between Group A and B. Balloon expandable TAVR was used in 97.3% of the patients, and in 96% of the patients the introducer sheet used was 14F. At the post-procedure femoral angiography, residual stenosis was present in only 1 (4.1%) patient on Group A and on 9 (25%) patients on Group B (p=0.034). there was no difference in major or minor bleeding with manual prolonged compression in both groups. two patients in Group A required additional vascular closure devices and no in group B. CONCLUSION: On this initial series, the ultrasound guided femoral access and the use of one vascular closure device, proved to be feasible and effective on vascular hemostasis, while reducing residual stenosis of the femoral artery when compared to the use of two vascular closure devices.