Intravascular lithotripsy to facilitate transfemoral TAVI: a single-center experience

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Transfemoral is considered the approach of choice for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and improves clinical outcomes such as death or stroke compared to transaortic or transapical access. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has enabled modification of calcified intimal and medial lesions to increase vascular wall compliance which might facilitate the transfemoral TAVI approach. Purpose To present a single-center experience with intravascular lithotripsy facilitating transfemoral TAVI approach. Methods A peripheral IVL catheter was used to perform lithotripsy of calcified iliofemoral stenosis. A 0.014" guidewire was used to guide the lithotripsy catheter with a balloon diameter of 5.0 or 6.0 mm. Inflating the balloon with 4–6 atm of pressure enabled apposition with the arterial wall and several cycles of 30 pulses have been performed at various locations of the iliofemoral arteries. IVL was planned in advance as primary strategy in case of ring or as baillout strategy in case of ring or excentric calcified periferial artery stenosis, respectively. The IVL was immediately followed by transfemoral TAVI. Retrograde data were collected for the purpose of this abstract. Results From December 2019 to December 2021 433 TAVI procedures were performed in the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. In 13 of the procedures (3%) IVL was used to facilitate the transfemoral approach. The mean minimal diameter of iliofemoral arteries was 5,2 mm with calcifications affecting at least three-quarters of arterial circumference in 92% and circular calcifications in 62% of cases. In all cases, IVL was performed in a common iliac artery or aortic bifurcation, while external iliac (15%) or femoral (8%) arteries were treated less often. A 5 mm IVL balloon was used in 2 (15%), and a 6 mm balloon in 9 (69%) cases, while a combination of 5 and 6 mm balloons was used in 2 (15%) cases. IVL and subsequent TAVI were successful in all the cases. No hospital mortality or major bleeding was observed. One patient needed one unit of blood transfusion due to loss during planned surgical preparation and closure of the puncture site. The puncture site was closed using a 2 Proglide technique and no conversion from percutaneous to surgical puncture site closure was needed. A self-expanding aortic prosthesis (Evolut R, Medtronic) was used in 11 (85%) and a balloon-expandable (Sapien 3, Edwards Lifesciences) in 2 (15%) cases. Conclusion In our experience IVL of iliofemoral arteries is a safe and effective method to facilitate transfemoral approach in TAVI, especially in cases of circular calcifications affecting the majority of arterial wall circumference. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.