Superficial temporal artery access for percutaneous coronary artery stenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Cardiology
• Vascular Access Techniques

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant challenges to healthcare delivery, particularly impacting invasive cardiology procedures.
• Maintaining access to essential cardiovascular interventions during public health crises is critical.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old male presented with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and bilateral pneumonia.
• The patient had pre-existing severe iliac artery disease and bilateral subclavian artery occlusions, complicating standard arterial access.
• Femoral artery access was unsuccessful, necessitating an alternative approach.

Findings:

• Ultrasound-guided lower superficial temporal artery access was successfully utilized for diagnostic coronary angiography.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention of the right coronary artery was also successfully performed via the superficial temporal artery access site.
• This demonstrates the feasibility of superficial temporal artery access in complex coronary interventions.

Implications:

• Superficial temporal artery access represents a valuable alternative when conventional radial and femoral sites are inaccessible.
• This approach can facilitate timely and essential invasive cardiology procedures in challenging patient anatomies or circumstances.
• The findings support the expansion of vascular access options in interventional cardiology, enhancing procedural success rates.