Implementing a minimally invasive approach (combining radial approach, small guiding catheters and minimization of double access) for coronary chronic total occlusion intervention according to the hybrid algorithm: The Minimalistic Hybrid Algorithm

Abstract

Percutaneous recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) traditionally relies on the use of dual access and large bore catheters, with trans-femoral approach adoption in most of the cases. Aim of this manuscript is to describe an alternative algorithm, that we called “Minimalistic Hybrid Algorithm”, in order to minimize the use of double access, large bore catheters, and femoral approach thus reducing patient's discomfort and possibly procedural complications. This algorithm can be interpreted as an evolution of the classic “Hybrid Algorithm” and requires the operator to be confident with all techniques known in this conventional algorithm. Indeed, all possible techniques and approaches of the conventional hybrid approach to treat CTOs are included in a novel diagram for procedural strategy, which offers an alternative sequence of steps to limit, whenever possible, the invasiveness of the procedure. After dividing the cases in “simple” or “complex” CTO lesions according to the available complexity scores and to the “feeling”, knowledge and expertise of the operator, a systematic description of the procedural steps is provided. This includes antegrade and retrograde approaches, as well as sub-intimal and intra-luminal techniques, in order to maintain the simpler single-catheter transradial strategies in the first line for the simple CTO, and the adoption of more complex, double access and transfemoral ones in the further steps. The minimalistic hybrid algorithm herein described is a possible alternative sequence of steps in the setting of CTO recanalization, with the potential of limiting the use of double access, large bore catheters, and femoral approach.