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Wireless Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Vein Cannulation Introduction Ultrasound guidance for vascular cannulation seems safer and more effective than an anatomical landmark approach, though it has not gained widespread support partly due to workflow interference of wired probes. A wireless ultrasound transducer (WUST) may overcome this issue. We report the effectiveness, time consumption, and safety of the first-in-human experience in axillary vein cannulation guided with a novel WUST for the implantation of cardiovascular implantable electric devices (CIEDs). Methods and Results After a one-month training period, we routinely performed WUST-guided puncture to all first implants, prospectively registering data from the first 50 patients. We analyzed the time needed for preparing the WUST and for achieving each vein cannulation, and the rate of unsuccessful or accidental arterial punctures and complications. WUST-guided axillary vein access was successful in 49 out of 50 patients, totaling 86 cannulated veins. Median WUST preparation time was 55 [44-62] seconds and median time needed for each venous cannulation was 56 [36-71] seconds. A total of 84.9% of the veins were cannulated at the first attempt. There were 7 unsuccessful puncture attempts and 1 accidental arterial puncture. No pneumothorax, hemothorax, or nervous injury occurred in the 49 successfully cannulated patients. The unsuccessful one (distal subclavian occlusion) developed a minor local subcutaneous emphysema with no confirmed radiologic pneumothorax, not requiring intervention. During a follow-up of 2.5 ± 1.1 months, a patient developed a pocket infection, with no other significant complications. Conclusion Ultrasound-guided axillary vein cannulation using a wireless transducer for the implantation of CIEDs is a feasible, fast, and safe method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the 2016 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) position paper on cancer treatments and cardiovascular toxicity. Topics discussed include the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy, strategies to prevent cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy, and long-term surveillance programmes for cancer survivors.

The article discusses a case of a 69-year-old woman with episodes of paroxysmal palpitations, treated with verapamil and flecainide, and was referred to an electrophysiology (EP) study. Topics include the results of the patient's electrocardiogram, ventricular programmed stimulation, and the diagnoses of atrioventricular (AV) node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT).