Transcarotid Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Abstract The number of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures have increased dramatically over the last decade; so too have the number of TAVR centers. While a percutaneous femoral artery approach is the access of choice, many patients have peripheral artery disease that prohibits access despite newer smaller diameter TAVR delivery systems. It is imperative for TAVR programs to have a preferred alternative access technique. The transcarotid approach is advantageous because the surgical skills and endovascular techniques required should be familiar to most surgeons, and when not, are, in our experience, readily obtainable. Here we provide a detailed description of the technical aspects of our approach to transcarotid TAVR.