Puncture of the Axillary Vein for the Implant for Electronic Cardiac Devices
Keywords:
Axillary vein puncture, Cephalic vein phlebotomy, Subclavian vein puncture, Complications with pacemaker implantationAbstract
Introduction: The obtaining of venous access for implantation of implantable electronic cardiac devices (IECDs) has been traditionally made by intrathoracic subclavian vein puncture (SVP) or cephalic vein phlebotomy (CVP). Evidence indicates, however, the increased risk of short-term and long-term complications with SVP due to the fact that it is intrathoracic access and the risk of compression of the electrodes by the costoclavicular ligament, leading to different types of defects. CVP, in turn, has been associated with a failure rate that reaches 45%. Axillary vein puncture (AVP) has been described in the literature and is presented here as an alternative to the two techniques mentioned. Methods: A PubMed survey was conducted on articles that mention the AVP, SVP and CVP techniques and compare them to the immediate, short and long term results and success rates for obtaining venous access. Emphasis was placed on comparisons between the various AVP techniques. Conclusion: The AVP technique for obtaining venous access presents some variations among the different authors. It has CVP-like safety, success rates comparable to those of the subclavian vein, and better medium and long term results for electrode function.
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References
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