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Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Upper-extremity Approach for Secondary Access in Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Published on: August 8, 2025
Overcoming the transcatheter aortic valve replacement Achilles heel: coronary re-access
Arash Arshi1, Steven J Yakubov1, Kevin L Stiver1
1OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Insights
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for severe aortic stenosis. Coronary angiography after TAVR is increasingly important for managing coronary artery disease, with techniques to ensure safe re-access.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is often treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) frequently coexists with severe AS.
- As TAVR expands to lower-risk populations, patients will increasingly require future coronary angiography after TAVR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review techniques for safe coronary artery re-access after TAVR.
- To discuss strategies for preventing and managing coronary artery obstruction during TAVR, especially in valve-in-valve procedures.
- To outline catheter selection and engagement strategies for specific transcatheter aortic valve bioprostheses.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical experience regarding coronary angiography post-TAVR.
- Analysis of factors influencing successful coronary artery re-access, including prosthesis-ostial alignment.
- Discussion of techniques to mitigate coronary obstruction risk during TAVR procedures.
Main Results:
- Coronary artery re-access after TAVR is feasible in most cases, though challenging.
- Commissural alignment of the TAV prosthesis is critical for successful coronary ostial engagement.
- Coronary artery obstruction is a significant risk, particularly in valve-in-valve TAVR.
Conclusions:
- Coronary angiography after TAVR is an essential component of comprehensive cardiovascular care.
- Careful planning and specific techniques are necessary to ensure safe coronary artery re-access and prevent obstruction.
- Understanding prosthesis-coronary anatomy is key to successful outcomes in patients with prior TAVR undergoing further interventions.
Abstract:
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS). Coronary artery disease (CAD) is common in patients with severe AS. As the indications for TAVR extend to lower risk patients with longer life expectancy and as CAD is a progressive condition, coronary angiography will become increasingly common in patients who have had a previous TAVR. Coronary artery re-access after TAVR may be challenging but is possible in most cases. Commissural alignment of the prosthesis with the native coronary ostia plays an important role in successful coronary re-access. Coronary artery obstruction is a potentially devastating complication of TAVR, particularly in valve-in-valve procedures. In the present keynote lecture, we review techniques used to mitigate the risk of coronary obstruction, as well as catheter selection and strategies for selective coronary artery engagement for specific transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) bioprostheses.
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