UltraSound Axillary Vein Access (USAA): Learning curve and randomized comparison to traditional venous access for cardiac device implantation

Many techniques exist for venous access (VA) during cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation.We sought to evaluate the learning curve with ultrasound (US) guided axillary vein access (USAA).Single-center prospective randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing CIED implantation. Patients were randomized in a 2:1 fashion to USAA versus conventional VA techniques. The primary outcomes were the success rates, VA times and 30-day complication rates.The study included 100 patients (age 68 ± 14 years, BMI 27 ± 4 kg/mAlthough the success rate with USAA was high, there was a significant learning curve. Once experienced with the USAA technique, there is the potential for reduced complications without adding to the procedure duration.