Ultrasound-guided axillary vein puncture versus cephalic vein cutdown as venous access approach for implantation of cardiac implantable electronic devices
Abstract
Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are integral to the management of various cardiac conditions, and different venous approaches have been utilized for their implantation. Ultrasound-guided axillary vein puncture (US-AVP) has recently emerged as a novel venous access technique. This meta-analysis aims to systematically compare venous access approaches with respect to procedural success and complication rates. The primary endpoint was the success rate, defined as the successful placement of the CIED. Secondary endpoints included time to venous access, fluoroscopy time, and any peri- or postprocedural complications. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (RevMan, Cochrane Collaboration). Pooled results demonstrated a significantly higher success rate with axillary venous access compared to the cephalic vein approach (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.09-1.62). Although the time to venous access was shorter for US-AVP (SMD: -17.49; 95% CI: -36.37 to 1.40; P = 0.07), this did not reach statistical significance and varied depending on the comparator group. Fluoroscopy time also favored axillary access, with a pooled estimate of -2.30 minutes (95% CI: -4.68 to 0.07; Z = 1.90, P = 0.06). Complication rates differed between groups, with a higher incidence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, hematoma formation, and infections in the nonaxillary group. In conclusion, US-AVP demonstrates superiority over conventional venous access methods for CIED implantation. It significantly improves vascular access, often the most challenging and complication-prone step in the procedure. Therefore, US-AVP should be recommended as a preferred technique in clinical practice.
Date
2025-10-13
Type
Journal Article
Subject
venous access, venous access
Collections
Citation
Zahid A, Sarkar A, Menon A, Chandralekha AR, Shabaz G, Abdi E, Singh K, Salim D, Depa VR, Nandawadekar S, Lee DS. Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Vein Puncture Versus Cephalic Vein Cutdown as Venous Access Approach for Implantation of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices. Cardiol Rev. 2025 Oct 13. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000001082. Epub ahead of print.
Journal / Source Title
Cardiology in review
DOI
10.1097/CRD.0000000000001082
PMID
41166538
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins