Managing vascular access and closure for percutaneous mechanical circulatory support

Even with current generation mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, vascular complications are still considerable risks in MCS that influence patients’ recovery and survival. Hence, efforts are made to reduce vascular trauma and obtaining safe and adequate arterial access using state-of-the-art techniques is one of the most critical aspects for optimizing the outcomes and efficiency of percutaneous MCS. Femoral arterial access remains necessary for numerous large-bore access procedures and is most commonly used for MCS, whereas percutaneous axillary artery access is typically considered an alternative for the delivery of MCS, especially in patients with severe peripheral artery disease. This article will address the access, maintenance, closure and complication management of large-bore femoral access and concisely describe alternative access routes.