My Toolkit in Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine

Distal radial access has rapidly evolved from an alternative technique to a valuable strategy for preserving radial patency while improving patient comfort and access-site safety.

This My Toolkit article provides a practical, problem-solving approach to understanding distal radial anatomy, overcoming technical challenges, and integrating ultrasound guidance to...

Large-bore femoral access closure remains a critical step in transfemoral TAVI, where access-site complications can significantly impact outcomes.

This My Toolkit article presents a step-by-step tutorial on a combined suture- and plug-based closure strategy using one ProStyle™ and one Angio-Seal®. The technique aims to achieve rapid, reliable...

Safari wire entrapment during TAVI is a rare but potentially serious complication, particularly with sheathless self-expanding valves. In this My Toolkit article, we describe a simple, effective technique using a parallel stiff guidewire to safely retrieve both the catheter and the entrapped Safari wire when performing...

Advancing a transcatheter heart valve through the septostomy can be tricky, with the wire sometimes prolapsing into the left atrium.

This step-by-step tutorial demonstrates a simple yet effective maneuver that allows smooth, controlled navigation from the right atrium to the mitral position, ensuring precise valve deployment.

When a rota burr stalls in a calcified artery, quick thinking and the right technique are critical. Discover a proven method to recover the burr safely and avoid surgery.

Trapping wires during complex PCI is essential but dedicated trapping balloons aren’t always on hand — and costs add up fast. This My Toolkit tip shows you how to safely reuse a standard PTCA balloon by stiffening its shaft with the original stylet, making valve crossing...

Crossing the aortic valve can pose significant challenges, particularly in cases involving a horizontal aorta, bulky asymmetric calcifications, or prior prosthesis implantation in valve-in-valve procedures. While some TAVI devices feature deflectable delivery systems to enhance coaxiality, current self-expanding valves lack this capability. When standard techniques like...

Drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty has become a valuable alternative to drug-eluting stents in treating coronary artery disease. To achieve optimal outcomes, proper lesion preparation and techniques to minimise drug loss are crucial.

This article highlights key steps and best practices for performing DCB angioplasty, ensuring effective drug delivery and...