Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Published on: August 8, 2025
Exclusive percutaneous approach for surgical transaortic transcatheter valve replacement
Pierre-Yves Etienne1, Spiridon Papadatos, Patrick Mailleux
1Department of Cardiac Surgery and Cardiology, Clinique Saint Luc, Bouge, Belgium. pierre.yves.etienne@gmail.com
Abstract:
Direct transaortic implantation (TAo) has been described as a new alternative approach for transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with unsuitable transfemoral access. TAo is usually achieved through an upper ministernotomy or, more recently, through a right thoracotomy in the second intercostal space. We describe here our first experience with a fully thoracoscopic approach that allowed successful deployment of a 23-mm Edwards SAPIEN valve.
