Antegrade Strategies Research Articles

Retrospective Case Control Matched Comparison of the Antegrade Versus Retrograde Strategy After Antegrade Recanalisation Failure in Complex de novo Femoropopliteal Occlusive Lesions

To investigate dissection severity, need for bailout stenting and limb outcomes in patients undergoing antegrade vs. retrograde revascularisation. Consecutive patients who underwent antegrade vs. retrograde revascularisation after antegrade recanalisation failure of long femoropopliteal chronic total occlusion (CTO) due to symptomatic peripheral artery disease between January 2017 and June 2022 were studied. Retrospective case-control matching was used to adjust for lesion length and calcification using the peripheral artery calcification scoring system (PACSS). Procedural outcomes included severity of dissection (Type A to F dissections, numerically graded on a scale from 0 - 6 with increasing severity) after angioplasty and number and localisation of stents needed to be implanted during the index procedure. Additionally, clinically driven target lesion revascularisation (CD-TLR) and major (above the ankle) amputation rates were assessed during follow up. A total of 180 patients were analysed who underwent antegrade (n = 90) vs. retrograde after failed antegrade (n = 90) recanalisation. Median patient age was 76.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 67.0, 82.0) years and 76 (42.2%) were female. Moreover, 78 patients (43.3%) had intermittent claudication, whereas 102 (56.7%) exhibited chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI). Mean lesion length was 30.0 (IQR 24.0, 36.0) cm with moderate to severe (3.0 [IQR 2.0, 4.0]) lesion calcification. Dissection severity after angioplasty was higher in antegrade vs. retrograde after failed antegrade recanalisation (4.0 [IQR 3.0, 4.0] vs. 3.0 [IQR 2.0, 4.0]; p < .001). Additionally, the number of stents in all segments and the rate of bailout stenting in popliteal segments was significantly higher with the antegrade strategy (2.0 [IQR 1.0, 3.0] vs. 1.0 [IQR 0, 2.0], p < .010; and 37% vs. 14%, p < .001). During median follow up of 1.48 (IQR 0.63, 3.09) years, CD-TLR rates (p = .90) and amputation rates in patients with CLTI (p = .15) were not statistically significant. In complex femoropopliteal CTOs, retrograde after failed antegrade recanalisation is safe for endovascular revascularisation, which in experienced hands may result in less severe dissections and lower rates of stent placement. However, considering the relatively short follow up duration, CD-TLR and amputation rates were not statistically different between the two approaches. [German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00015277.].

Wire-based antegrade dissection re-entry technique for coronary chronic total occlusions percutaneous revascularization: Experience from the ERCTO Registry.

The recent development and widespread adoption of antegrade dissection re-entry (ADR) techniques have been underlined as one of the antegrade strategies in all worldwide CTO consensus documents. However, historical wire-based ADR experience has suffered from disappointing long-term outcomes. Compare technical success, procedural success, and long-term outcome of patients who underwent wire-based ADR technique versus antegrade wiring (AW). One thousand seven hundred and ten patients, from the prospective European Registry of Chronic Total Occlusions (ERCTO), underwent 1806 CTO procedures between January 2018 and December 2021, at 13 high-volume ADR centers. Among all 1806 lesions attempted by the antegrade approach, 72% were approached with AW techniques and 28% with wire-based ADR techniques. Technical and procedural success rates were lower in wire-based ADR than in AW (90.3% vs. 96.4%, p < 0.001; 87.7% vs. 95.4%, p < 0.001, respectively); however, wire-based ADR was used successfully more often in complex lesions as compared to AW (p = 0.017). Wire-based ADR was used in most cases (85%) after failure of AW or retrograde procedures. At a mean clinical follow-up of 21 ± 15 months, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) did not differ between AW and wire-based ADR (12% vs. 15.1%, p = 0.106); both AW and wire-based ADR procedures were associated with significant symptomimprovements. As compared to AW, wire-based ADR is a reliable and effective strategy successfully used in more complex lesions and often after the failure of other techniques. At long-term follow-up, patient's MACCEs and symptoms improvement were similar in both antegrade techniques.

Safety of retrograde cerebral perfusion under moderate hypothermia for hemiarch replacement.

Aortic surgeries performed under moderate hypothermia require antegrade cerebral perfusion. The influence of retrograde cerebral perfusion under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest remains unknown. To clarify this effect, this study aimed to compare the early outcomes of retrograde versus antegrade cerebral perfusion under moderate hypothermia for hemiarch replacement. Between March 2009 and April 2020, 391 hemiarch replacements under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest via median sternotomy were performed at our institution. Of these, 70 involved retrograde perfusion and 162 involved antegrade perfusion. Propensity score matching was used to compare 61 pairs of retrograde and antegrade cases. Retrograde and antegrade strategy under moderate hypothermia resulted in comparable operative mortality (3.3% vs. 1.6%, P > 0.99), permanent neurological deficits (8.5% vs. 6.6%, P > 0.99), and temporary neurological deficits (24.6% vs. 39.3%, P = 0.33). Retrograde surgery was associated with shorter circulatory arrest times (31.4 ± 8.2min vs. 37.4 ± 12.2min, P = 0.005) and fewer red blood cell transfusions (4.6 ± 3.9 units vs. 8.2 ± 5.1 units, P < 0.001) than those with antegrade surgery. Retrograde cerebral perfusion under moderate hypothermia for hemiarch replacement yields excellent operative outcomes, equivalent to those achieved using an antegrade strategy.

Acute and Midterm Outcomes of Antegrade vs Retrograde Crossing Strategies for Endovascular Treatment of Iliac Artery Chronic Total Occlusions

Purpose: To examine whether an antegrade or retrograde crossing strategy for treatment of iliac artery chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is associated with differences in procedural or midterm outcomes. Materials and Methods: A dual-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in 168 patients (mean age 66.4±10.6 years; 116 men) treated for CTOs in 110 common iliac arteries (CIA), 52 external iliac arteries (EIA), and 26 combined CIA/EIAs. Logistic regression models were developed to determine the association between crossing strategy and procedural complications, 1- and 3-year target lesion revascularization (TLR), and major adverse limb events (MALE). Results are presented as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: An initial antegrade strategy was more common for EIA CTOs (p<0.005), and an initial retrograde strategy was more often used in CIA (p<0.005) and combined CIA/EIA (p<0.005) CTOs. Crossover to an alternate approach was required in 27.6% of initial antegrade attempts and 9.6% of initial retrograde attempts. EIA CTOs were the most likely lesions to be treated successfully with the initial attempt (either strategy). In all, 123 (65.4%) lesions were successfully crossed with a final retrograde approach and 65 with a final antegrade approach. Overall target lesion success was high for both groups (95.1% vs 93.2%, p=0.456). Lesions treated with a final retrograde approach were shorter (75.3±34.9 vs 87.6±31.3 mm, p=0.005) and were more likely to be treated with a reentry device (34.2% vs 9.2%, p<0.001) and with balloon-expandable stents (39.2% vs 17.7%, p=0.005). The final antegrade approach was associated with a lower risk of target lesion complications (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.81, p=0.034). The two crossing approaches were associated with similar estimates of 1- and 3-year TLR and MALE. Conclusion: A final antegrade approach was associated with lower rates for complications but the 2 approaches were similar in terms of lesion success, TLR, and MALE. The EIA CTOs were more likely to be treated with an antegrade approach and more likely to be crossed successfully with the initial approach irrespective of the crossing direction.

Order of Treatment Matters in Ischemic Stroke: Mechanical Thrombectomy First, Then Carotid Artery Stenting for Tandem Lesions of the Anterior Circulation

Background: One endovascular treatment option of acute ischemic stroke due to tandem occlusion (TO) comprises intracranial thrombectomy and acute extracranial carotid artery stenting (CAS). In this setting, the order of treatment may impact the clinical outcome in this stroke subtype. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on data prospectively collected in 4 international stroke centers between 2013 and 2017. One hundred sixty-five patients with anterior TO were treated by endovascular therapy. Clinical and procedural data were evaluated. Favorable clinical outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≤2 at 90 days. Propensity score matching was performed for different treatment strategies. Results: Patients’ mean age was 65 ± 11 years and 118 were male (69%). The median admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 15 (interquartile range 8). In 59% of the patients (n = 101), the antegrade strategy (first stenting, then thrombectomy) was ­performed, in 41% (n = 70) retrograde treatment (first thrombectomy, then stenting). Successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b) was achieved in 128 patients (75%). Fifty-nine patients (39%) showed a favorable clinical outcome after 90 days. After propensity score matching, data of 100 patients could be analyzed. Analysis revealed that the retrograde strategy yielded a significantly higher rate of successful reperfusion compared to the antegrade strategy (92 vs. 56%; p < 0.001). The rate of favorable clinical outcome after 90 days (mRS ≤2) was consistently higher (44 vs. 30%; p < 0.05) in the retrograde strategy group. Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy prior to acute CAS in TO is a predictive factor for favorable clinical outcome at 90 days.

Chronic Total Occlusion-Angioplasty with Antegrade Approach: A two-Year Experience in “Modarres Hospital”, A Tertiary University Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Introduction: New techniques for the percutaneous treatment of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) have had a high success rate since a few years ago, so the interest for this treatment has been increasing these days. Methods: The current observational study was performed in Modarres hospital as a tertiary referral center. All the patients with documented stable angina who had failed to response to full guideline-mediated medical therapy, referred to our hospital, were candidates for coronary angiography. Antegrade strategy was applied for all these patients. The length of the lesion, the fluoroscopy time of the CTO angioplasty, consumed contrast volume, the number of guide wires used, whether a corsair or tornus micro-catheter was used or not, and the success rate of the angioplasty were documented for further analysis. Results: A total of 47 patients with documented stable angina were finally included. The median age was 59 (45-78) and 70.2% were male. The mean length of the lesion was 34.0 ± 1.1 .The mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume were 57.9 ± 3.2 minutes and 525.9 ± 20.9 mL, respectively. In average, 2.2 guide wires were used. Corsair and tornus micro-catheters were applied in 30 (63.8%) and 5 (10.6%) of the cases, respectively. Seven complications (all including coronary dissection) occurred. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rate was 10.6%, all of which were non-Q wave myocardial infarction. The success rate was 85.1%. The higher number of used wires, use of corsair, and tornus micro-catheter were not significantly concordant with success rate (P-value > 0.05); in addition, longer lesion was not concordant with unsuccessfulness rate (P-value > 0.05). Conclusions: Patient selection for CTO-angioplasty should be performed more carefully. Patients’ quality of life and risk of probable procedural complications and future cardiac events should be assessed to decide the best treatment approach. Radiation exposure, contrast consumption and fluoroscopy time are recommended to be monitored during the procedure and thresholds should be defined to enhance safety and efficacy.