Transfemoral approach is considered the preferred route to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by most operators due to the low invasiveness and good outcome, as compared to non-transfemoral approach. However, transfemoral access is not always feasible particularly in patients with small and calcific vessels. Recently, catheter-based lithoplasty has emerged as a new technique based on the use of circumferential pulse pressure waves to disrupt calcific plaques. This technology may help to expand eligibility for transfemoral TAVI to patients with calcific ileo-femoral vessels and at high risk for non-transfemoral approach. We present the case of an 87-year-old woman with poor vascular access who successfully underwent transfemoral TAVI following lithoplasty of iliac artery.
Keywords: IVUS; lithoplasty; lithotripsy; transfemoral TAVI.
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