Ultrasound-guided versus anatomic landmark-guided vascular access in
cardiac electrophysiology procedures: a systematic review and
meta-analysis
Abstract
Introduction: Electrophysiology (EP) procedures are nowadays the
gold-standard method for tachyarrhythmia treatment with impressive
success rates, but also with a considerable risk of complications,
mainly vascular. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to
evaluate the safety of ultrasound (US)-guided femoral vein access in EP
procedures compared to the traditional anatomic landmark-guided method.
Methods: We searched Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase, Web of Science, and
Cochrane electronic databases for relevant entries, dated from January
1st, 2000 to June 30th, 2021. Only observational studies and randomized
controlled trials were included in this analysis. Data extraction
included study details, patient characteristics, procedure details, and
all types of vascular complications. Complications were classified as
major if any intervention, prolongation of hospitalization, or
readmission was required. Results: 9 studies (1 randomized controlled
trial and 8 observational), with 7,858 participants (3,743 in the
US-guided group, 4,115 in the control group), were included in the
meta-analysis. Overall vascular complication rates were significantly
decreased in the US-guided group compared to the control group (1.2
versus 3.2%, RR = 0.38, 95% CI, 0.27 - 0.53), in all EP procedures.
Sub-group analysis of AF ablation procedures yielded similar results (RR
0.41, 95% CI, 0.29 - 0.58, p < 0.00001). The event reduction
effect was significant for both major and minor vascular complications.
Conclusion: US-guided vascular access in EP procedures is associated
with significantly reduced vascular complications, compared to the
standard anatomic landmark-guided approach, regardless of procedure
complexity.