ABSTRACT:
Trans-catheter Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure is typically done
utilizing femoral access for both intra-cardiac echocardiography (ICE)
and device deployment. We hereby report the first two cases of PFO
closure through the jugular veins guided by ICE from the arm in patients
without any femoral options secondary to large burden of clot in the
IVC. This novel technique can potentially save resources (anesthesia and
TEE cardiologist), provide an option for patients without a femoral
option and can avoid complications secondary to mechanical ventilation
needed to perform TEE.