Near zero vascular complications using echo‐guided puncture during catheter ablation of arrhythmias: A retrospective study and literature review

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation (CA) is routinely used for the treatment of arrhythmias. Vascular complications are the most common complications during these procedures. Previous data reported that ultrasound (US)‐guided puncture is a useful method to avoid vascular complications. We reported our experience using US‐guided puncture in patients undergoing CA for arrhythmias. METHODS: A total of 273 patients (mean age 57 ± 17 years; 58% male) were referred to our center for CA of arrhythmias from January 2016 to December 2019. All procedures were performed by expert operators, and US‐guided vascular access was performed on all patients. Doppler sonography was performed the day after the procedure on all patients. RESULTS: Eighty‐four patients (31%) underwent atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia ablation, 49 patients (18%) atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia ablation, 14 patients (5%) atrial tachycardia ablation, 25 patients (9%) atrial flutter ablation, 63 patients (23%) atrial fibrillation ablation, and 38 patients (14%) ventricular tachycardia ablation. Vascular pseudo‐aneurysms and arteriovenous fistula were defined as major complications; furthermore, venous thrombosis and inguinal hematomas were as defined minor complications. The percentage of major vascular complications was 0.3% (1 arteriovenous fistula) and the percentage of minor vascular complications was 0.3% (1 venous thrombosis). DISCUSSION: Ultrasound‐guided vascular puncture in patients undergoing CA is useful to improve procedural success and reduce complications.