Use of VeriQ system in transfemoral aortic valve implantation. A novel technique

BackgroundThe use of Doppler/Ultrasound is well documented in Cardiac, Vascular and Transplant surgery. It accurately detects the flow of blood through a vessel, allowing for informed decision making regarding cannulation site, graft anastomosis and assessment of graft patency. Trans-catheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI) has recently emerged as an effective treatment of elderly or high risk patients with aortic stenosis. The transfemoral TAVI is the most frequently adopted strategy. However, many patients referred for transfemoral TAVI present some degree of peripheral vascular disease and this is partially responsible for an increased rate of vascular complications.MethodsWe present our experience in 50 patients who were referred for transfemoral TAVI at Oxford heart centre to confirm the point of access for insertion of the femoral sheath and the quality of the femoral artery repair after direct repair.ResultsWe present our experience with High risk cases with aortic stenosis. They have been accepted for transfemoral TAVI. In order to confirm the point of access for insertion of the femoral sheath and Quality of repair, we used VeriQ system as standard procedure.ConclusionThe use of VeriQ system is safe and reproducible method to assess the Point of access for insertion of femoral sheath and the quality of the femoral artery after direct repair in transfemoral TAVI.