Completely percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation through transaxillary route: an evolving concept

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a valid treatment option for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) and a high operative risk1,2. Transfemoral arterial access is generally considered the access site of first choice and is feasible in a completely percutaneous fashion. In case of unfavourable femoral-iliac arterial vessels, the transapical, transaxillary (or trans-subclavian) and direct aortic access are alternative strategies for TAVI, yet require surgical techniques3. We present the first transaxillary TAVI using an exclusively percutaneous approach and focus on the step-by-step key aspects of this strategy.

A 78-year-old male was accepted for TAVI because of severe symptomatic ...