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Snuffbox approach for balloon aortic valvuloplasty: A case series.
Annamaria Di Cesare1, Elisabetta Tonet1, Gianluca Campo1,2
1Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara, Cona, Italy.
Summary
The anatomical snuffbox approach for balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is safe and feasible, especially for elderly patients awaiting transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This mini-invasive technique reduces complications and hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) indications are expanding, particularly for elderly and frail patients, as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) evolves.
- Radial access for BAV offers benefits like reduced vascular complications and shorter hospital stays compared to traditional femoral access.
Observation:
- The anatomical snuffbox approach, a distal radial access site, has not been previously described for BAV.
- A review of patients undergoing BAV via distal radial access in the anatomical snuffbox was conducted between January 2019 and December 2019.
Findings:
- The anatomical snuffbox approach for BAV was successfully performed in all reviewed cases.
- Patients were mobilized within 10 hours post-procedure with no vascular access-related complications.
- Thirty-day follow-up revealed distal radial artery patency in 89% of cases via color Doppler ultrasound.
Implications:
- The anatomical snuffbox approach for BAV demonstrates safety and feasibility.
- This technique presents a potentially valuable alternative for BAV, especially in elderly and frail patients awaiting TAVR.
