Transpedal approach for iliac artery stenting: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the transpedal approach as an alternate arterial access site for iliac artery intervention. BACKGROUND: The common femoral artery is the traditional access site for the endovascular treatment of iliac artery stenoses. However, this approach is associated with complication rates as high as 2%, including retroperitoneal bleeding which carries high patient morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the standard femoral approach is associated with longer recovery times and longer time to ambulation which are important considerations especially when performing procedures in an ambulatory setting. METHODS: Twelve patients were prospectively followed after treatment for symptomatic iliac artery stenosis via transpedal access. Under ultrasound guidance, one of the pedal arteries was visualized and accessed, and stenting of the iliac arteries were performed as per protocol. The patient was monitored immediately post procedure and clinical follow up was performed at one week and one month later. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 71years old. 58% were male. Most patients had Rutherford class III symptoms. Successful stent placement was achieved in all 12 patients via transpedal access. No conversion to femoral access was required. No complications immediately post procedure nor at any time period during follow up were noted. Lower extremity arterial duplex at one month showed patent stents and patent pedal access site vessels in all patients. CONCLUSION: Transpedal arterial access may be a safe and feasible approach for iliac artery stenting. Given the possible benefits of avoiding femoral artery access, larger studies should be conducted directly comparing the different approaches.

Safety and Feasibility of the Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System via the Transradial Approach.

Technological innovations have enabled higher success rates with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of complex coronary lesions via the transradial approach. The orbital atherectomy system (OAS; Cardiovascular Systems, Inc) is the most recent innovation that abrades plaque using a rotation device for the facilitation of stent placement in heavily calcified lesions. Fifty patients with classic anginal symptoms and an abnormal stress test demonstrating ischemia underwent PCI using the coronary OAS. In all, 46 out of 50 patients received stents in the target lesion after orbital atherectomy. At follow-up, there were no major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and need for target-vessel revascularization. Radial artery occlusion rate was 6% at 30 days. The use of the OAS via the radial approach may be a safe and feasible option to assist in the treatment of heavily calcified coronary lesions.