Axillary vein access for permanent pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation: fluoroscopy compared to ultrasound

Axillary vein access (AVA) using fluoroscopic landmarks is an effective and safe approach for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) implantation.However, it may result in a higher radiation exposure.Ultrasound-guided axillary access (USAA) is an effective alternative technique to conventional subclavian access for CIEDs implantation.Studies comparing USAA and AVA using fluoroscopic landmarks are lacking.The purpose of this study was to compare the safety, efficacy and radiation exposure data of the USAA approach with the AVA using fluoroscopic landmarks.