Transvascular access methods
Various methods employing transvascular access devices are described, including a method of placing a central catheter in a peripheral vein in an arm of a patient; a method of providing percutaneous access to the heart of a patient; a method of clearing a clotted arteriovenous dialysis graft; a method of creating multiple access points into a single blood vessel; a method of creating an AV fistula in a patient; and a method of providing a bypass to a blockage in a popliteal artery in a patient.
1. A method of providing percutaneous access to the heart of a patient, the method comprising:
inserting an access device percutaneously through an entry site in a femoral artery of the patient, the access device comprising a vascular catheter;
advancing a distal end of the vascular catheter from the entry site to an exit site in an axillary artery of the patient;
advancing a puncture tool from the distal end of the vascular catheter through the axillary artery wall and skin of the patient at the exit site;
after the step of advancing the puncture tool, inserting a cardiac access catheter into the axillary artery at the exit site; and
advancing the cardiac access catheter through the axillary artery, subclavian artery and the aorta to the patient's heart.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising implanting a left ventricular assist device.