Safety of cardiac catheterization via peripheral vascular grafts

There are few data concerning the complications and technical difficulties encountered when cardiac catheterization is performed using peripheral bypass grafts for vascular access. All cardiac catheterizations performed at our institution from January 1, 1984 to April 1, 1991 were retrospectively reviewed to assess the in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients who had arterial access for catheterization achieved via prosthetic graft puncture. Seventeen procedures had percutaneous puncture of a vascular graft from a total of 2,929 arterial catheterizations performed. The interval from graft placement to catheterization was 7.5 ± 1.1 years. Arterial sheaths were employed in all cases and corresponded to the catheter size, with 5F systems used in 53% and 7F or larger systems used in the remaining patients. No intraprocedural or postprocedural complications were recognized. Technical difficulties were limited to the inability to selectively cannulate a nondominant right coronary artery in 1 patient. We conclude that percutaneous introduction of an arterial sheath and left heart catheterization via remotely implanted vascular bypass grafts is not associated with an increased risk of procedural complications or technical difficulties. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

经皮股动脉穿刺冠状动脉介入诊疗术后人工压迫止血早期下地活动的临床观察

目的:观察经皮股动脉穿刺冠状动脉介入诊疗术后患者早期下地活动的可行性和安全性。方法:130例行冠状动脉介入诊断和治疗的患者在拔除6F动脉鞘管6h后下地活动,观察其穿刺点并发症的发生。结果:130例141个穿刺部位中发生小血肿8处,皮下淤血8处,小渗血3处,发生腹膜后血肿1处,随访1~3d,无严重出血并发症。结论:经皮股动脉穿刺冠状动脉介入诊疗术后6h下地活动是可行和安全的,可以减少患者的不适和降低患者住院费用。     

Percutaneous left and right heart catheterization in fully anticoagulated patients utilizing the radial artery and forearm vein: a two-center experience

BACKGROUND: Stopping oral anticoagulants prior to cardiac catheterization is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. Performing the procedures via the femoral artery and vein without interruption of anticoagulation is associated with a high rate of major access site complications. The transradial technique for left heart catheterization is safe in fully anticoagulated patients but few data are available on the percutaneous right and left heart catheterization utilizing a combination of the radial artery and antecubital vein in this group of patients. METHODS: We report our experience in 28 consecutive patients that underwent left and right heart catheterizations via this percutaneous arm approach without interruption of anticoagulation. These were compared to 31 consecutive non-anticoagulated patients that underwent the procedure via a conventional femoral artery and vein approach. RESULTS: Arterial and venous accesses were achieved and complete angiographic and hemodynamic data obtained in all patients. There were no access site complications in the anticoagulated patients despite an International normalized ratio (INR) of 2.5 +/- 0.5. Procedural duration was longer in the anticoagulated group of patients, but fluoroscopy time and patient radiation dose were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that left and right heart catheterization can be safely performed in most fully anticoagulated patients using this technique with a low bleeding and thromboembolic risk and no increase in radiation exposure.     

Peripheral vascular complications from percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a comparison with transfemoral cardiac catheterization

The peripheral vascular complications associated with percutaneous transfemoral coronary angioplasty were compared with those that occurred during conventional transfemoral cardiac catheterization. Among 644 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 6 patients (0.9%) suffered peripheral vascular complications, whereas 35 of 2904 patients having cardiac catheterizations (1.2%) had a peripheral vascular complication. The types of complications associated with both procedures were similar and included groin hematomas, false aneurysms, arterial dissection, arterial perforation, and neurological deficits. The frequency of surgical repair of these complications also was similar in the two groups (50% required repair for a PTCA complication, 34% were repaired after a catheterization complication). The PTCA-associated complications included one myocardial infarction and one death, whereas neither of these occurred in association with a catheterization-induced vascular complication. The surgical management of five of the six PTCA complications was difficult, largely because of the size of the sheath-related puncture site and the presence of active bleeding from the associated systemic anticoagulation. PTCA carries the same risk of development of a peripheral vascular complication as found in transfemoral cardiac catheterization. Care must be taken to prevent sheath-related injury to the aorta-iliac-femoral system and hemorrhagic complications at the puncture site are of particular concern and require urgent surgical attention.     

Cardiac catheterization through the internal jugular vein in pediatric patients. An alternative to the usual femoral vein access.

The percutaneous femoral vein approach is used routinely for cardiac catheterization in the pediatric age but in some children, it may be impossible as in the case of iliac vein or inferior vena cava thrombosis due to previous cardiac catheterization, or inconvenient as for right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies. In the period between 1982 and 1990, 160 cardiac catheterizations or right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies were performed in 102 children. Patients ranged in age between 2 months and 17 years (mean, 3.8 years) and in weight from 3.2 to 57.3 kg (mean, 14.4 kg). Indications for the internal jugular vein approach were as follows: (1) thrombosis of the inferior vena cava due to previous cardiac catheterization in 42 patients (41 percent); (2) right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy after cardiac transplant in 19 patients (19 percent); (3) control catheterization of the pulmonary arteries following classic or bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis in 16 patients (16 percent); (4) superior vena cava obstruction following Mustard's procedure in 14 patients (14 percent); (5) failed percutaneous femoral venous approach in six patients (6 percent); and (6) absence of the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava in four patients (4 percent). The right or left internal jugular vein could be entered in all but three procedures (98 percent). Seventeen patients had more than one procedure through the same internal jugular vein and the vein was found patent in all. A complete right heart cardiac catheterization was performed using this route. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy and interventional procedure were performed through this route. Two major complications occurred. A patient developed a central transient ischemic attack and another patient developed a persistent Horner syndrome. Accidental carotid puncture occurred in five patients without consequences. Our data indicate that cardiac catheterization in infants and children can be performed safely through the internal jugular vein, with a high success rate and a low incidence of major complications.     

Percutaneous left heart catheterization and coronary arteriography using a femoral artery sheath

Percutaneous left heart catheterization and coronary arteriography with a standard angiographic catheter introduced through a femoral artery sheath has been performed in over 200 patients during the past 12 months. The use of the sheath for catheter introduction and manipulation offers several advantages, including the capability of monitoring two arterial pressures with only one arterial puncture, the minimization of time in which the guidewire is intravascular, the capability of using all types of catheters from a femoral artery percutaneous approach, and, most importantly, the complete elimination of patient discomfort during catheter changes. The disadvantages of the sheath technique are relatively minor. Thus, percutaneous left heart catheterization and coronary arteriography through a femoral artery sheath can be performed safely and with relatively little trauma to the femoral artery.     

小儿左心导管术后股动脉血栓形成的溶栓治疗

目的 探讨对左心导管术后并发股动脉血栓形成的患儿进行溶栓治疗的方法和疗效.方法 1999年1月至2009年4月,对左心导管术后并发股动脉血栓形成的16例患儿(男5例,女11例)进行溶栓治疗.首先经外周静脉途径溶栓,无效后再采用经对侧股动脉插管途径进行溶栓治疗.给予肝素100 U/kg,随后予尿激酶30 000～180 000 U冲击剂量后,以10 000～50 000 U/h静脉泵入维持至足背动脉恢复搏动.结果 16例患儿的年龄为(2.6±1.9)岁,身高(85.3±13.1)cm,体重(11.2 ±3.8)kg.同侧足背动脉搏动消失15例,明显减弱1例.紫绀属先天性心脏病患儿2例,非紫绀属先天性心脏病患儿14例,其中12例接受介入治疗.所有患儿经抗凝溶栓治疗后下肢缺血症状均恢复,其中3例患儿经对侧股动脉插管溶栓后成功,11例经外周静脉溶栓成功,另2例患儿给予肝素及解痉药物后恢复.术中所用肝素(950 ±682)U,尿激酶(295 357±198 770)U.溶栓起效时间(7.25 ±5.31)h.2例患儿溶栓后髂外动脉存在轻度残余狭窄,余患儿应用股动脉血管超声随访2周均提示管腔通畅.结论 采用尿激酶对左心导管术后股动脉血栓形成患儿进行溶栓治疗安全有效,当经外周静脉途径溶栓无效时,应尽早采用经对侧股动脉插管途径进行溶栓.     

The technique and safety of transseptal left heart catheterization: the massachusetts general hospital experience with 1,279 procedures

With the introduction of interventional procedures such as percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty and radiofrequency ablation of left-sided bypass tracts, there has been renewed interest in the technique of transseptal left heart catheterization. We review our experience with 1,279 transseptal catheterizations performed over the last 10 years. The most common indications for transseptal catheterization included direct measurement of left atrial pressure or access to the left ventricle in patients with prosthetic aortic or mitral valves, and in patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. A total of 17 major complications occurred (1.3%), including cardiac tamponade (15 patients, 1.2%), systemic emboli (1 patient, 0.08%), and death secondary to aortic perforation (0.08%). We conclude that when performed by experienced operators, transseptal left heart catheterization is associated with low morbidity and mortality. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..     

Clinical evaluation of SyvekPatch in patients undergoing interventional,EPS and diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures

BACKGROUND: The SyvekPatch (Marine Polymer Technologies, Danvers, Massachusetts) has received Food and Drug Association market clearance for the rapid control of bleeding from vascular access sites and percutaneous catheters. A clinical evaluation was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of this vascular closure device in 1,000 consecutive patients after routine diagnostic and interventional procedures. METHODS: During a 3-month period, a total of 364 interventional patients (stenting, 55%; PTCA, 30%; EPS, 15%) and 636 diagnostic patients (left heart catheterization, 77%; right/left heart catheterization, 23%) were treated. Catheter sheaths ranged in size from 4 12 French (Fr). Antiplatelet therapy was employed in 35% of the interventional procedures. In approximately 20% of the cases, same-side repuncture occurred within 2 3 days. RESULTS: The use of the SyvekPatch on a total of 1,000 consecutive patients resulted in the rapid control of bleeding with only 1 major complication (0.1%; pseudoaneurysm) and few minor complications (1.3%). The pseudoaneurysm was most likely caused by the aberrant location of the sheath. All minor complications were either small hematomas (< 2.5 cm; rate, 0.75%) or slight oozing from the puncture site (rate, 0.6%). Outcomes measured included clinical effectiveness, ability to maintain the femoral access site for future interventions, major complication rates (access-site related hematoma that required blood transfusion or an extended hospital stay, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, arterial or venous thrombosis, and infection), patient comfort and operational efficiency. CONCLUSION: The strong safety and efficacy profile of the SyvekPatch has made a significant impact in our cardiac catheterization lab. Unlike existing vascular closure devices, the SyvekPatch was used following a diagnostic procedure even when a future interventional procedure was scheduled. The effectiveness of the SyvekPatch was not altered by anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. The patients and clinical staff were extremely satisfied with the use of the SyvekPatch .     

Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography using 5 french preformed (Judkins) catheters from the percutaneous right brachial approach: A comparative analysis with the femoral approach

This study describes a method for the performance of cardiac catheterization using 5 French preformed Judkins catheters from a percutaneous right brachial approach, and compares that technique to the more traditional percutaneous right femoral approach with 6 French catheters. One hundred consecutive patients requiring diagnostic left heart catheterization and selective coronary angiography were randomized according to femoral versus brachial arterial technique. Procedural efficiency, radiation exposure, and diagnostic film quality favored the femoral approach, while patient comfort, hemostasis time, time to ambulation, and decreased need for post-procedure nursing care favored the brachial approach. No differences were identified in complications. Cardiac catheterization from a right brachial artery percutaneous approach with 5 French preformed catheters has both advantages and disadvantages when compared with a more traditional femoral approach with 6 French catheters. Multiple factors should be considered before selecting an approach to diagnostic cardiac catheterization and each patient should be individually evaluated for determination of the optimal technique. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Treatment of unstable angina with cholesterol embolization as a complication of left heart catheterization

We describe 3 patients with cholesterol embolization after left heart catheterization via the femoral route. The left catheterizations were performed via the femoral route in all reported cases in which cholesterol embolization occurred as a complication of left catheterization. Postmortem examinations reveal that PTCA, using the right brachial approach, is the safest method for treatment of intractable angina in patients with evidence of cholesterol embolization.     

Complications of percutaneous femoral arterial catheterization. Prospective evaluation with the Doppler ultrasonic velocity detector

Prospective evaluation of vascular complications of 160 percutaneous femoral arterial catheterizations was carried out in 142 adult patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at two affiliated hospitals of the University of Washington. Arterial velocity signals and blood pressure in the limbs were monitored with the Doppler ultrasonic velocity detector before and after each procedure. The rate of complications (14 percent) was similar at each hospital; they included one accidental dissection of the iliac artery and 22 arterial thromboemboli. The location of thromboemboli appeared to be related to the duration of use of an indwelling arterial catheter. Complications were more common in patients, especially female, with mitral valve disease and in patients with coexisting peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Two thirds of the patients with thromboembolic complications had no symptoms. All but one patient with femoral thrombosis had operative thrombectomy; no patient with distal occlusion underwent operation. The Doppler ultrasonic velocity detector is a simple, rapid noninvasive technique for assessing limb hemodynamics in patients undergoing arterial catheterization.     

Antegrade left heart catheterization

Retrograde arterial catheterization has been the standard approach to hemodynamic and angiographic evaluation of the left ventricle and systemic arterial system. An alternative approach—antegrade left heart catheterization—is reported that circumvents arterial puncture. During cardiac catheterization from the femoral vein in 18 children with normally related great arteries who had interatrial communications, a balloon-tipped catheter was looped in a ?clockwise”? fashion through the left atrium and left ventricle and into the ascending aorta. In 17 children the maneuver was rapidly accomplished without complications; it proved possible to perform in an infant with a hypoplastic left ventricular cavity, and was employed to perform a renal arteriogram. The major advantage of antegrade left heart catheterization is avoidance of complications related to arterial puncture. The antegrade approach also avoids right arm cut-down in children with coarctation of the aorta.     

Bilateral cardiac catheterizations: the safety and feasibility of a superficial forearm venous and transradial arterial approach

The transradial approach for left heart catheterization has become increasingly popular recently because of its clinical benefits. We examined the safety and feasibility of a transforearm approach for bilateral cardiac catheterizations, using the radial artery and a superficial forearm vein (the cephalic, basilic, or median antecubital vein). Between August 2002 and October 2003, 296 right heart catheterizations were performed in our hospital. A superficial forearm vein was used in one group of 101 patients, of which 98 had a concomitant left heart catheterization through the radial artery. The femoral vein was used for right heart catheterization in the second group of 195 patients. Of these patients, 37 underwent left heart catheterization through the radial artery and 157 through the femoral artery. All instances of bilateral catheterizations were successful except for one complication of pseudoaneurysm occurring in the transfemoral group. The procedure time for right heart catheterization was significantly less in the forearm group than the femoral group. The transforearm group had a larger proportion of males and of patients undergoing diagnostic right heart catheterization for congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Patients with aortic stenosis (AS), atrial septal defect (ASD), and mitral stenosis (MS) were mainly restricted to the transfemoral approach. We conclude that the transradial artery and superficial forearm venous approach for bilateral cardiac catheterizations is a safe and feasible alternative to the femoral approach in a wide range of patients, with the exception of patients with AS, ASD, or MS.     

Percutaneous brachial approach in left heart catheterization with 5 French catheters. Preliminary experience

This describes our preliminary experience with percutaneous brachial approach for cardiac catheterization, by using 5 French (F) preformed catheters. Thirty patients (pts) were studied from the left arm (Group A) with a 5F sheath and 5F Judkins catheters and 30 from the right arm (Group B) with 5F sheath and 5F Amplatz catheters. Pigtail catheters (5F) were used for the left ventricular angiograms in all patients. In 10 patients arterial velocity signals and radial and ulnar artery blood pressures were monitored with the Doppler ultrasonic velocity detector before and immediately after each procedure, and 24 hours later. Arterial puncture was carried out successfully in each patient by using a 18-gauge Potts-Cournand needle. The puncture site was as close as possible to the ante cubital fossa where the artery is less mobile. Both coronary arteries were selectively opacified and the left ventricular angiography was done on every patient. The diagnostic quality of the angiograms was evaluated by the visual analogue scale and the results were not different from those obtained with the femoral approach in our catheterization laboratory. In 3 out of 30 pts in group B it was impossible to obtain a good left coronary opacification with Amplatz catheters for anatomical reasons, thus the right femoral approach was preferred. Brachial artery occlusion occurred in 1 patient from group B and needed surgical thrombectomy carried out to restore normal radial and ulnar pulses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transhepatic central venous access for cardiac catheterization and radiologic intervention

We describe a technique of direct puncture and catheterization of the hepatic veins for cardiac catheterization and radiologic intervention in children who lack conventional access routes. Four patients underwent eight direct hepatic vein punctures to allow cardiac catheterization (3 patients) and 5–12 F sheath insertions for balloon dilatation of hepatic vein stenoses (1 liver transplant patient). Gelfoam was injected in the sheath tract for hemostasis. All procedures were successful, including five hepatic vein dilatations and right heart access for three cardiac catheterizations. There were no complications. When conventional venous access is precluded, direct percutaneous catheterization of hepatic veins is easy, effective, and probably low risk. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Closure of the femoral vein puncture site after transcatheter procedures using Angio-Seal.

The use of anchor-based, collagen-derived vascular sealing devices in femoral vein punctures during right and left heart catheterizations or coronary interventions necessitating venous access for temporary pacemaker or hemodynamic monitoring has not been studied. We hypothesized that using these devices in the femoral vein would be practical and reliable. One hundred and ten consecutive patients undergoing right and left heart catheterization (56 patients, 51%) or coronary intervention (54 patients, 49%) were included in this study. Forty-five of the interventions received IIb/IIIa inhibitors in combination with heparin, enoxaparin, aspirin, and clopidogrel. The Angio-Seal device was successfully deployed in the femoral vein in all patients, whereas 93 (85%) received arterial Angio-Seal, 8 received Perclose, and 9 (8%) had manual pressure or a Fem-Stop applied to control arterial bleeding after deployment. We conclude that in patients undergoing transcatheter procedures requiring venous access, the use of an 8 Fr Angio-Seal to seal the femoral vein is safe and feasible.     

Transseptal left heart catheterization: a review of 278 studies

In our laboratory, we performed 278 transseptal left heart catheterizations in adult patients over a period of 13 years. The left atrium was entered in 91.4% of the intended left heart catheterizations. Of 252 attempts, the left ventricle was entered in 96.1%. Major complications were aortic puncture (0.7%), pericardial puncture/suspected tamponade (3.2%), systemic arterial embolism (1.1%), and suspected perforation of the inferior vena cava (0.4%). There were no deaths. Although less frequently performed during the last decade, the transseptal catheterization technique has a complication rate of the same magnitude as during periods when this method was more commonly applied.     

Percutaneous treatment of post catheterization massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage

We describe a patient on anticoagulant therapy with massive retroperitoneal and intraperitoneal bleeding complicating femoral catheterization. Balloon tamponade of the actively bleeding femoral artery was effective in sealing off the leakage after failed surgical exploration. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fibrinolytic therapy for femoral arterial thrombosis after cardiac catheterization in infants and children

The charts of 79 patients who required femoral arterial (FA) thrombectomy after cardiac catheterization were reviewed. Fifteen patients (19%) had poor pulses after thrombectomy and 2 had an extremity amputated. One thousand consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization were also studied to prospectively determine the safety and efficacy of systemic fibrinolytic therapy for treatment of FA thrombosis. Among these, 771 patients underwent retrograde arterial catheterization, including 31 patients with left-sided obstructive lesions who had undergone transarterial balloon dilation procedures with large catheters. All patients were given heparin at the time of arterial cannulation. Patients who had a pulseless extremity 4 hours after catheterization continued to receive heparin therapy for 24 to 48 hours. If the extremity continued to have no palpable pulse and the systolic blood pressure was less than 50% of that in the contralateral leg, intravenous streptokinase infusion was begun. The overall incidence of FA thrombosis was 3.6% (28 of 771), including 39% (12 of 31) of all patients undergoing transarterial balloon dilation procedures; 97% (27 of 28) of patients weighed less than 14 kg and the majority weighed less than 10 kg. After an average treatment period of 33 hours, 16 patients continued to have a pulseless extremity and were treated with streptokinase for an average duration of 13 hours. Normal pulses and systolic blood pressure returned in 14 (88%) and were nearly normal in 1 other patient (6%). The incidence of bleeding at the arterial puncture site was 25% and was highest in the patients who had a transarterial balloon dilation procedure. No serious complications occurred.