Strategies to Reduce Transfemoral Access Complications inContemporary Interventional Cardiology.

Abstract

Vascular access-site complications due to transfemoral access (TFA) for cardiac procedures are common as patients receiving femoral access are more complex. Furthermore, TFA-related vascular access-site complications are associated with substantial excess morbidity. An updated narrative review is warranted as technique, technology, and knowledge have rapidly progressed in the last decade. We will review preprocedural (transradial (TRA) first approach and risk factors), procedural (ideal cannulation site, ultrasound (US)-guidance, micropuncture needle, femoral angiography, and sheath size), and post-procedural (vascular closure devices) considerations to reduce vascular access-site complications (Figure 1). The fully referenced version of the manuscript is available in the supplementary materials.