Direct innominate artery access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Hostile vascular disease can pose a challenge for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, for which the preferred access is via a common femoral artery. However, extensive peripheral arterial disease may also preclude traditional points of alternative access in some patients. Herein, we describe two patients in whom successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement was performed via direct innominate artery access.

Impact of radiocontrast use during left ventricular pacemaker lead implantation for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Aims: The risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) with radiocontrast use during left ventricular (LV) lead placement for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is unknown. It is unclear as to whether minimizing contrast use impacts adequacy of LV lead placement.

Methods And Results: A retrospective analysis was performed of all LV leads placed for CRT at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN from 16 March 2001 to 1 April 2009.