Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Carotid Access and Puncture Closure with Angio-Seal in Horses

Simple Summary Endovascular surgery is a type of image-guided minimally invasive surgery that aims to solve different types of pathologies from inside the blood vessel. This technique requires access to a peripheral vessel (vein or artery) and the navigation through the vascular system to reach the operating site, using different catheters. In horses, the main indication for endovascular therapy involves access to the common carotid artery for different purposes. Traditionally, this was performed by open dissection of the neck to reach and incise the common carotid artery, followed by vascular suture of the vessel and skin closure when the procedure was over. However, this can also be performed by percutaneous puncture of the artery, using ultrasound to guide the needle to its adequate position in the artery, as has been reported in experimental horses. Along with that, in human medicine, commercial closure systems are used to seal these arterial punctures and avoid some complications (mainly haematomas and haemorrhages). We describe our experience in a series of 11 clinical cases in which this minimally invasive way of access was used, and the puncture site was sealed with one of these devices (AngioSeal arterial closure system), reporting its first use in horses. In all cases, the artery was effectively accessed, and the planned procedure could be performed. Our haematoma/bleeding rate (16.66%) was lower than in other studies using the same type of access, even considering two failures due to incorrect use of the device. However, further studies comparing AngioSeal use to simple manual compression would be necessary to be able to recommend their routine use in horses. Abstract Background: There are different indications for endovascular surgery in horses, mainly the treatment of guttural pouch mycosis. Traditionally, these procedures are carried out by open arteriotomy of the common carotid artery (CCA), although less invasive percutaneous ultrasound-guided carotid access (PUGCA) has been described in experimental horses. In human medicine, commercial closure systems are used to seal these arterial puncture sites and reduce complications. The aims of this study are to retrospectively describe our experience with PUGCA in clinical cases and to report, for the first time, the use of the commercial vascular closure device Angio-Seal after PUGCA in horses. Methods: Retrospective study of clinical case records. Collected parameters, including the feasibility of the PUGCA and variables related to the safety and efficacy of the use of the Angio-Seal. Results: Twelve PUGCA procedures in 11 horses were included. In all cases, the artery was effectively accessed, and the planned procedure could be performed. In two cases, haematoma/bleeding due to incorrect use of the Angio-Seal was recorded. This complication rate (16.66%) was lower than that obtained in other studies using PUGCA in horses, but where the puncture was sealed by manual compression only. Main limitations: A control group of clinical cases with PUGCA but without using Angio-Seal is not available. Conclusions: Clinical data confirm previous experimental results, which showed that PUGCA is safe and effective in horses. The Angio-Seal system, regardless of possible complications due to incorrect use, can be used safely and effectively in horses. Further studies comparing arterial access site management using manual compression or Angio-Seal would be necessary to state if its routine use in horses is advisable.