Methods:A total of 90 patients, who had undergone TAVI, were retrospectively studied. Vascular complications were defined as major and minor according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC) criteria. Patients were divided into High Cannulation Site (CS) group and Low CS group depending on the common femoral artery puncture site position, in regards to the most inferior border of the inferior epigastric artery. Results: Vascular complications were significantly more frequent in the high CS group versus the low CS group (32.3% vs 11.9%, pϭ0.039). High cannulation remained an independent predictor of vascular complications after adjustment for known risk factors (OR: 4.827, CI: 1.441-16.168; pϭ0.011). Conclusions: In patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI, arterial puncture above the most inferior border of the inferior epigastric artery is associated with vascular complications.Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has been established as a reliable alternative treatment in high risk patients, resulting in symptoms and left ventricle function improvement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TAVI on early recovery of left ventricle function using echocardiographic left ventricular deformation parameters and to define their possible correlation with myocardial function. Methods: 16 patients (6 females, 81 Ϯ 5 years; EuroScore: 24 Ϯ 4%) with severe aortic stenosis but free of significant coronary artery disease, who underwent TAVI with the CoreValve aortic prosthesis were studied. Conventional 2D and 2D-speckle echocardiography analysis were performed pre-interventional and at discharge. Deformation indices of left ventricle, such as Peak Systolic Longitudinal Strain (PSLS) and Torsion (apex-basal rotation) were determined by speckle tracking echocardiography using commercially available computer software. Besides, Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF), calculated with Simpson method, was evaluated at one month follow-up. Results: In all patients at discharge, a reduction of transaortic peak pressure gradient (pϽ0.0005), of mean pressure gradient (pϽ0.0001) was observed, with a concomitant increase in aortic valve area (pϽ0.0001). In addition, 2D speckle analysis showed a significant improvement of PSLS at discharge (Ϫ10.6Ϯ2.8 vs Ϫ12.8Ϯ3.9%, pϭ0.008). Similarly, left ventricle Torsion was significantly increased comparing to pre-implantation values (7.2Ϯ5.1 vs 11.5Ϯ6, pϭ0.015). However, overall LVEF did not change (51.4Ϯ8.8 vs 50.9Ϯ8.1%; pϭ0.55). During follow-up, a strong correlation was found between discharge PSLS and one month LVEF, with greater longitudinal deformation (PSLS) associated with higher LVEF (pϭ0.03). However, one month LVEF compared to discharge, indicated a trend for improvement (pϾ0.05), but not statistically significant. Conclusions: Deformation indices of PSLS and Torsion are able to detect early improvement of left ventricle function after TAVI regardless LVEF alteration. Moreover, PSLS seems to predict LVEF in one month. Larger studies with long t...