Femoral and Brachial Artery Cut-Down for Vascular Access in Interventional Procedures

Femoral and brachial artery cut-downs are classic surgical methods for establishing vascular access in interventional procedures. Although largely replaced by less invasive percutaneous techniques and vascular closure devices, these open approaches remain essential when anatomy is challenging or large devices are needed. This paper outlines the indications, preoperative assessment, and step-by-step surgical techniques for safely exposing the femoral and brachial arteries. Direct visualization during cut-down facilitates reliable hemostasis and mitigates access-related complications, such as pseudoaneurysm or vessel occlusion. Mastery of these techniques is crucial for vascular specialists as a backup strategy when percutaneous access fails.