Balloon valvuloplasty for neonatal critical pulmonary valvar stenosis with IVC interruption: pitfalls of the transumbilical approach

Trans-umbilical access in the neonate with sheath preservation for intervention

High-flow vascular malformations in neonates may require emergent embolization to prevent or treat congestive heart failure when intervention is indicated.1 While transfemoral access is the traditional approach, this route may be complicated by the sheath size (typically 4F in our experience, as a smaller sheath system may prove suboptimal) needed for embolization. This is especially true when (1) multiple acute interventions are anticipated during the neonatal period and/or (2) when it is preferred to spare femoral access for future treatments in infancy or childhood.1-3 The safety and feasibility of using transumbilical (TU) access via the umbilical artery and maintaining an indwelling sheath post-procedurally has been previously described and indeed does spare the femoral arteries for later treatments; however, this technique has not yet been sufficiently demonstrated or reported to the extent that it could be easily reproduced.1-10 In this technical video, we detail the required materials and demonstrate a step-by-step guide to obtaining TU access in the context of neonatal vascular malformation embolization. Our practice has utilized this technique for decades and we hope that by sharing our methods with the neurointerventional community we may make this rarely performed procedure a feasible option for proceduralists (see video 1) .neurintsurg;jnis-2024-021561v2/V1F1V1Video 1Technical instructional video for trans-umbilical access in the neonate with sheath preservation for intervention.

Transumbilical access for neonatal vein of Galen malformation and pial arteriovenous fistula embolization

BACKGROUND

In the neonatal period, transfemoral access may be complicated by sheath size needed for embolization, especially if retreatment is required. A viable alternative is access through an umbilical artery (UA) which allows for preservation of the femoral artery for access in future intervention.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study from January 2014 to March 2023, focusing on 19 vein of Galen malformation, dural arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and pial AV fistula cases treated via transumbilical (TU) access for endovascular embolization in neonates.

RESULTS

TU access was achieved successfully in 20 out of 21 intended cases, with a 4 French sheath placed intraprocedurally in all instances. We observed a median retreatment time of 7 months for patients requiring subsequent femoral artery access, highlighting the importance of preserving femoral access for future interventions. There were no complications associated with TU access or sheath retention and no procedural mortality attributed to this approach. Despite intraprocedural and periprocedural complications of other etiologies (including post-procedural hemorrhages and fever requiring antibiotic treatment), the TU approach demonstrated overall safety and efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings align with previous reports of TU access in vascular malformations, emphasizing its role as a vital technique in neonatal neurointervention. The TU approach offers advantages such as sparing femoral arteries for future treatments and potential applicability to other high-flow brain fistulas. Our study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of TU access in neonatal neuroendovascular interventions, underscoring its importance in managing complex vascular malformations in this vulnerable population.

An unconventional valvuloplasty: severe pulmonary stenosis with 'candy cane' inferior vena cava

Femoral vein is the usual approach to balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (BPV). However, alternative access may be mandated in some peculiar situations. We hereby report a 10-year-old patient with symptomatic severe valvular pulmonary stenosis with interrupted inferior vena cava which was successfully treated with transjugular BPV. Technical considerations for this approach as well as other possible options for such patients are discussed.