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Introduction: Over the recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of transradial (TR) access for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including rotational atherectomy (RA). However, a large proportion of operators seem to be reluctant to use TR access for complex PCI including rotational atherectomy for heavily calcified coronary lesions., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library for studies comparing radial versus femoral access in patients undergoing RA. Studies were included if they reported at least one of the following outcomes in each group separately: major adverse cardiac events (MACE), major bleeding, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction (MI), hospital length of stay, radiation exposure, procedure time, procedure success and all-cause mortality. Odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated and a p-value of <0.05 was considered as a level of significance., Results: This meta-analysis included 5 retrospective studies with 3315 patients undergoing RA via radial access and 5838 patients via femoral access. Radial access was associated with lower major access site bleeding (OR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.31-0.67, p < 0.001), and radiation exposure (MD: -16.1, 95%CI: -25.4--6.7 Gy cm 2 , p = 0.0007). There were no significant differences observed in all-cause in-hospital mortality (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.69-1.23, p = 0.58); MACE (OR: 0.80, CI: 0.63, 1.02, p = 0.08), stent thrombosis (OR: 0.28, 95%CI: 0.06-1.33 p = 0.11); and MI (OR: 0.43, 95%CI: 0.15-1.24, p = 0.12). There were no significant differences in hospital stay, procedure time or procedure success between the two groups (p > 0.05)., Conclusion: This meta-analysis of 9153 patients from observational studies demonstrates similar all-cause mortality, MACE, procedural success and procedural time during RA performed using TR access and TF access. However, TR access was associated with decreased access site bleeding and radiation exposure. Given the observational nature of these findings, a randomized controlled trial is warranted for further evidence., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Suboptimal iliofemoral artery access requiring alternative trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) access is still encountered in 10-20% of subjects undergoing TAVR. Attempting suboptimal vascular access may result in excessive vessel injury, bleeding and even death. Reported is an innovative procedure to address suboptimal heavily calcified iliofemoral access by using Diamondback 360 peripheral orbital atherectomy (POA) to ablate heavy endoluminal vascular calcifications followed by balloon angioplasty. This approach enabled us to successfully deploy TAVR in extremely challenging iliofemoral anatomies that would otherwise be rendered prohibitive. The technical aspects of this procedure are delineated accompanied by a descriptive case of such procedure., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Major vascular complications still occur in ~4.2% of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. These complications are a major safety drawback of TAVR when compared to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Contemporary strategies designed to minimize and effectively treat vascular complications are of immense importance to a successful TAVR program. This review discusses strategies to optimize TAVR access and device choice along with TAVR access complication management. Iliac complications are less frequently encountered and can be managed effectively via the TAVR sheath over the TAVR wire employing ipsilateral proximal iliac balloon occlusion and endovascular repair. The more common arteriotomy site complications and access site closure failure require prophylactic or bail-out common femoral to superficial femoral artery wiring. Suggested is a novel method of ipsilateral arteriotomy site protection that is safe, simple and does not require additional resources. Ipsilateral wiring can also be done prophylactically or as a bailout in case of arteriotomy site complication., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)