Chronic Total Occlusion Procedures Research Articles

Abstract 4137144: Return to Cath Lab: Chest Pain Resolution after Right Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention

Introduction: Subacute stent thrombosis (ST) is related to high rates of cardiac reinfarction. We present a case of reinfarction from ST. The patient’s chest pain (CP) was not alleviated with initial revascularization of his left circumflex (LCx) ST, requiring PCI to his right coronary artery (RCA) chronic total occlusion (CTO). This is a novel approach to CTO PCI which is traditionally a non-urgent procedure. Case: A 53-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease and surgical turndown presented to the ED with CP. Two weeks prior he had impella guided LM bifurcation PCI with DES and ramus intermedius (RI) angioplasty (PTA) but was nonadherent to clopidogrel. He had a BP of 127/85, HR of 65, and was on room air. Exam was unremarkable. His EKG was in sinus rhythm with S-T depressions ~1mm in leads V1-V4 concerning for posterior infarction. HS-troponin (HST) was 60. Angiography (CA) showed thrombotic occlusion of his LCx DES (Fig 1a) and an RCA CTO (Fig 1c). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed DES struts overlying the ostial LCx concerning for mechanical deformation from carinal shift. OCT guided PTA and laser thrombectomy (LT) of the LCx led to TIMI-3 Flow. LT and kissing balloon inflation (BI) was performed on the LAD and LCx to reshape the carina. HST peaked at 116,012. He had CCS Class IV CP despite medical therapy and returned for re-look CA with TIMI-3 flow in the left-sided circulation without thrombus (Fig 1b). He had PCI to his distal RCA CTO with two DES and TIMI-3 flow in the RCA (Fig 1d). He did not have recurrence of CP. Discussion: Bifurcation PCI leads to challenges from anatomic reconfiguration, metallic DES deformity, and changes in blood flow leading to increased risk of distal ST. This patient’s CA demonstrated LM DES material overlying the LCx from carinal shifting which likely led to interrupted flow dynamics. His LCx ST was partly due to this stasis and his clopidogrel nonadherence. Despite PCI of his LCx his CP remained with poor collateral flow from the left circulation. While CTO procedures are typically done non urgently, emergent intervention on our patient’s RCA CTO led to complete resolution of his CP and clear benefit for symptomatic management.

Remote proctoring in complex percutaneous coronary intervention aided by mixed reality technology.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has a lower success rate and a higher complication rate compared to PCI of non-occluded coronary arteries. Co-operation and supervision by a more experienced operator (proctoring) are associated with improved success of CTO procedures. This study aims to assess the feasibility of remote proctoring using web-based communication and mixed reality technology in CTO procedures. The PCI operator was equipped with a Microsoft HoloLens 2 head-mounted display enabling visual and verbal interaction including holographic annotations with a remote proctor. Ten CTO procedures were performed by a single PCI operator assisted by a remote proctor. Audio and video communication was successfully established in all procedures. All procedures were possible to perform with a Microsoft HoloLens 2 head-mounted display. The PCI operator experienced the remote proctoring as useful. Remote proctoring of CTO procedures using mixed reality technology was feasible. The impact of the method regarding procedural and patient outcomes needs to be assessed in new studies.

Procedural Results and Long-term Outcome of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in a UK Non-surgical Centre.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has evolved a great deal over recent years, with increased procedural success and lower complication rates being reported. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety and success of a dedicated CTO programme in a large UK PCI centre without on-site cardiothoracic surgery facilities. Clinical and procedural data were retrospectively collected for consecutive unselected patients undergoing CTO PCI between 2015 and 2019 from the local database and regional electronic patient records. In-hospital outcomes and long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (all-cause mortality, MI, stroke and target vessel revascularisation) were recorded. A total of 170 patients underwent 191 CTO procedures during the study period. The mean age was 63 ± 10 years and 80.6% of patients were male (n=137). The clinical indications were: stable chronic coronary syndromes in 88.5% (n=169) of patients; staged procedures in the context of acute coronary syndromes in 1.6% (n=3); and presentation with acute coronary syndrome in 9.9% (n=19). The procedural success rate was 50.0% (n=25) for general interventional cardiologists and 90.1% (n=127) for dedicated CTO operators. In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events occurred once (0.5%) and interhospital transfer for emergency salvage cardiac surgery was not required. Long-term follow-up data at a median duration of 3.8 years revealed 4 (2.4%) cardiac deaths, 14 (8.3%) spontaneous MI events and 10 (5.9%) target vessel revascularisations. These data suggest CTO PCI using contemporary techniques is both safe and effective when undertaken in a high-volume non-surgical centre by experienced operators.

The safety and feasibility of live-stream proctoring for CTO procedures.

To assess the technical feasibility of a new method of educational training, based on audio-video (AV) communication between an interventional cardiologist and the cath lab staff members in one location and a remote expert proctor. Overall, 9 patients underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) targeting a chronic total occlusion (CTO) between June 2021 and January 2022 at a single Belgian center using the virtual proctoring approach. For this assessment, the strategic planning of the CTO PCI and all the decisions throughout the intervention were the responsibility of the proctor. The operator was guided via an AV link, by the proctor throughout the procedure. The operator performed each procedural step, guided by the remote proctor, who had continuous access to all relevant interventional details. No major adverse cardiac events (MACE) occurred during the index hospitalization or within 6 months follow-up. A new method of virtual proctoring based on live AV communication is feasible, even in the case of highly complex CTO PCI procedures. This strategy also appears safe and may provide the patient the benefit of incremental expertise. This approach is facilitated by advances in AV communication and allows physicians to share expertise irrespective of location. It could increase global interaction between colleagues and facilitate sharing of knowledge, which are both key aspects in the development of CTO PCI. This preliminary experience could serve as a basis for future large studies to study the potential role and benefits of virtual proctoring for complex CTO PCI procedures.

Temporal trends of case-fatality in patients undergoing dual-injection coronary chronic total occlusion recanalization.

Recently, interventional techniques and material to treat chronic total occlusion (CTO) with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have evolved significantly. Nevertheless, it is still unknown whether this progress improved treatment success and patients' outcome. In a nationwide sample, we sought to analyze trends of patients' characteristics, complications and in-hospital case-fatality of patients undergoing CTO revascularization in Germany. We analyzed data on characteristics, treatments, and in-hospital outcomes for all coronary artery disease (CAD) patients (ICD-code I25) undergoing dual-injection CTO recanalization (OPS procedural code: 8-839.9) in Germany from 2009 to 2020. Overall, 4,998,457 inpatients aged ≥ 18years with diagnosis of CAD were treated in German hospitals in this period. Among these, 52,879 patients (1.1%) underwent CTO recanalization. Annual number of CTO PCIs increased from 1263 in 2009 to 6435 in 2020 (β 3.48 [95% CI 3.44-3.52]; p < 0.001) in parallel with a significant decrease of case-fatality (2.2% in 2009 to 1.4% in 2020; β - 0.60 [95% CI - 0.82 to - 0.39]; p < 0.001). Overall, 754 (1.4%) patients with CTO recanalization died during the in-hospital stay and in-hospital case-fatality grew exponentially with age (β 0.82 [95% CI 0.73-0.90]; p < 0.001). Significant predictors of in-hospital case fatality with an OR > 3 were cancer, stroke, hemopericardium, acute renal failure, pulmonary embolism and shock. Annual number of CTO procedures performed in Germany increased from 2009 to 2020 with a concomitant anti-proportional decrease in the case-fatality. Our findings may help to draw more attention to predictors of in-hospital case fatality in patients hospitalized for CTO recanalization.

Procedural Outcomes in Patients Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Interventions within Chronic Total Occlusions Stratified by Gender.

It has been demonstrated that gender differences are related to different procedural and long-term clinical outcomes among a general patient population treated using percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The objective of our analysis was to conduct assessment regarding the relationship between gender and procedural outcomes in patients treated for PCI regarding chronic total occlusions (CTO), based on a large, real-life registry. Data used to conduct the following analysis was derived from the national registry of percutaneous coronary interventions (ORPKI), upheld in co-operation with the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions (AISN) of the Polish Cardiac Society. The study involved data procured from the registry within the period from January 2014 to December 2020. All subsequent CTO procedures recorded in the registry during that period were included in the analysis. We assessed the correlation between gender and the overall rate of periprocedural complications, procedure-related mortality, and success evaluated as TIMI flow grade 3 after the procedure by univariate and multivariable modeling. At the time of conducting our investigation, there were 162 existing and active CathLabs, at which 747,033 PCI procedures were carried out during the observational period. Of those, 14,903 (1.99%) were CTO-PCI procedures, and 3726 were women (25%). The percentage share between genders did not experience any significant changes during the consecutive years observed in the current analysis. Overall periprocedural complication rate was greater among women than men (3.45% vs. 2.31%, p = 0.02). A comparable relationship was noted for procedural mortality (0.7% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.006), while procedural success occurred more often in the case of women (69.3% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.001). Women were found to be more frequently affected by periprocedural complications (OR = 1.553; 95%CI: 1.212–1.99, p < 0.001) as well as procedural success (OR = 1.294; 95%CI: 1.151–1.454, p < 0.001), evaluated using multivariable models. Based on the current analysis performed on all-comer patients treated using PCI in CTO, women are affected by more frequent procedural complication occurrence as well as greater procedural success compared to men.

Outcomes of retrograde approach for chronic total occlusions by guidewire location.

Connecting the antegrade wire (AW) and the retrograde wire (RW) is a goal of chronic total occlusion (CTO) treatment, but angiographic guidewire location is sometimes misleading. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-defined AW and RW position and procedural outcomes when treating CTO lesions using the retrograde approach. Overall, 191 CTO lesions treated using an IVUS-guided retrograde approach at three centres in Japan, China, and the USA were included. When the AW and RW angiographically overlapped, four wire positions were seen on IVUS: (i) AW within the plaque (AW-intraplaque) and RW-intraplaque in 34%; (ii) AW-intraplaque and RW in the subintimal space (RW-subintima) in 28%; (iii) AW-subintima and RW-subintima in 22%; or (iv) AW-subintima and RW-intraplaque in 16%. The procedure succeeded without repositioning the wire in 89% of AW-intraplaque/RW-intraplaque, 61% of AW-intraplaque/RW-subintima and 57% of AW-subintima/RW-subintima, but only one (3%) AW-subintima/RW-intraplaque. Lesion and procedure complexity and failure/complications were greatest in AW-subintima/RW-intraplaque. IVUS-identified vascular compartment concordance versus IVUS-identified vascular compartment mismatch leads to higher success rates irrespective of intraplaque or subintimal passage. AW-subintima/RW-intraplaque was associated with the most complex CTO morphology and procedure, and repositioning the wire was almost always necessary. Visual summary. When the antegrade wire is in the subintimal space and the retrograde wire is in the intraplaque, re-wiring is almost always necessary.

Four-Year Follow-Up of Absorb BVS Compared to Xience EES in Daily Clinical Practice Shows Continued Accrual of Events

Percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is known for the high technical complexity. Considering the constant increase in CTO procedures, subsequent peri-procedural complications will rise too, thus they need to be promptly recognized and evaluated for their potential risk of clinical sequelae. We report the case of a newly described complication during trans-septal retrograde CTO intervention: a septal collateral artery dissection due to endothelial avulsion.

Comparison of Vascular Closure Device Strategies for Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Associated Vascular Complications

Percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is known for the high technical complexity. Considering the constant increase in CTO procedures, subsequent peri-procedural complications will rise too, thus they need to be promptly recognized and evaluated for their potential risk of clinical sequelae. We report the case of a newly described complication during trans-septal retrograde CTO intervention: a septal collateral artery dissection due to endothelial avulsion.

Impact of Lesion Complexity and Stent Characteristics on One-Year Clinical Outcomes: A Sub-Analysis of the Recre8 Trial

Percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is known for the high technical complexity. Considering the constant increase in CTO procedures, subsequent peri-procedural complications will rise too, thus they need to be promptly recognized and evaluated for their potential risk of clinical sequelae. We report the case of a newly described complication during trans-septal retrograde CTO intervention: a septal collateral artery dissection due to endothelial avulsion.

Is "minimalistic" the correct word for chronic total occlusion procedures?

Is "minimalistic" the correct word for chronic total occlusion procedures?

Advances in percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusions: current antegrade dissection and reentry techniques and updated algorithm.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO) is considered relatively complex with low success rates and high complication rates. Treating a CTO with PCI using the hybrid algorithm increases success rates with acceptable complication rates. An essential part of the hybrid algorithm is antegrade dissection and reentry (ADR). In PCI of a non-CTO coronary lesion, the guidewire over which the stent is advanced and placed stays within the true lumen of the coronary artery. ADR techniques make it possible to cross the lesion through the wall of the coronary artery, the subintimal space, thus creating a small bypass within the architecture of the coronary artery and restoring antegrade blood flow. ADR increases success rates, especially in more difficult CTO procedures. In the last decade, new materials and techniques have been introduced in quick succession, which are summarised in this review. Consequently an updated ADR algorithm is presented, which can support the CTO operator during an ADR procedure.

Coronary physiology before and after chronic total occlusion treatment: what does it tell us?

Studies performed in the last two decades demonstrate that after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a chronically occluded coronary artery, the physiology of the chronic total occlusion (CTO) vessel and dependent microvasculature does not normalise immediately but improves significantly over time. Generally, there is an increase in fractional flow reserve (FFR) in the CTO artery, a decrease in collateral blood supply and an increase in FFR in the donor artery accompanied by an increase in blood flow and decrease in microvascular resistance in the myocardium supplied by the CTO vessel. Analogous to these physiological changes, positive remodelling of the distal CTO artery also occurs over time, and intravascular imaging can be helpful for analysing distal vessel parameters. Follow-up coronary angiography with physiological measurements after several weeks to months can be helpful and informative in a subset of patients in order to decide upon the necessity for treatment of residual coronary artery stenosis in the vessel distal to the CTO or in the contralateral donor artery, as well as in deciding whether stent optimisation is indicated. We suggest that such physiological guidance of CTO procedures avoids unnecessary overtreatment during the initial procedure, guides interventions at follow-up, and improves our understanding of what PCI in CTO means.

The Alkmaar CTO Registry: A Retrospective Cohort Evaluating the Introduction of a Dedicated CTO Program

BackgroundPercutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) are high risk procedures with low success rates compared to standard PCI. Recently the ‘hybrid approach’ method has been developed to increase success rate. In 2015 we set up a dedicated program to systematically treat CTOs by this hybrid approach. This retrospective, observational registry aims to report achieved results in a single PCI centre. Methods and resultsWe reviewed all CTO procedures between January 2012 and December 2017. Procedures performed by dedicated operators after December 2014 were assigned to the hybrid cohort, procedures done before this time or performed by a non-CTO operator were assigned to the non-hybrid cohort. Procedural techniques, difficulty of lesions, J-CTO scores, outcomes and complications were analysed.In total 505 procedures were included. Average J-CTO score was 1.9 ± 1.1, which was significantly higher in the hybrid cohort (2.1 ± 1.2 vs. 1.6 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). Overall procedural success rate was 75.4% with significantly higher success rates in the hybrid cohort (81.2% vs. 68.2%; p < 0.001). Combining both cohorts, overall success rate increased over the years (2012–2017 respectively 65.2%, 60.0%, 71.7%, 83.2%, 77.9% and 81.4%). Complication rate was higher in the hybrid cohort compared to the non-hybrid cohort (4.6% vs 0.4%, respectively; p = 0.026). ConclusionBy introducing a systematic CTO program, including use of the hybrid approach, we observed higher success rates of PCI CTO, despite increased complexity of the lesions (higher J-CTO score). The occurrence of MACE was in accordance with current literature. Condensed abstractOur registry demonstrates that introduction of a dedicated CTO program increases success rates of CTO treatments despites increased lesions difficulty and with acceptable MACEs rates.

Development and first results of adedicated chronic total occlusion programme.

ObjectiveTo describe the development and first results of a dedicated chronic total occlusion (CTO) programme in a tertiary medical centre.BackgroundBecause of the complexity and the increased risk of complications during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO, it is essential that less experienced and evolving CTO centres perform regular quality analyses.MethodsWe therefore performed analyses to describe the results during the first 3 years of a dedicated CTO programme at a high-volume PCI centre. In addition, we discuss the strategies employed to develop such a programme.ResultsA total of 179 consecutive patients undergoing 187 CTO procedures were included in the study. The complexity of the CTO lesions increased from a mean J‑CTO (Japanese Multicentre CTO Registry) score of 1.3 in 2015 to 2.1 in 2017. In the majority of cases, the antegrade wire escalation technique was performed. Final technical success rate was 78.5% in 175 patients with a single CTO and 80.2% of all 187 CTO procedures. No peri-procedural or in-hospital deaths occurred. One peri-procedural myocardial infarction occurred. Cardiac tamponade occurred in 2 cases, both managed by pericardiocentesis. No urgent cardiac surgery was necessary. Survival and revascularisation rates at 30 days and 1 year were excellent.ConclusionFollowing initiation of a dedicated CTO programme, using up-to-date techniques and strategies, procedural and clinical outcome were comparable with current standards in established centres.

Post-stEnting assessment of Re-endothelialization with optical Frequency domain imaging aftEr Chronic Total Occlusion procedure: The PERFE-CTO Study Design and Rationale

BackgroundThe treatment of chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries by percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO PCI) is one of the most representative technical advances in ischemic cardiomyopathy of last decade. However, how the complex histopathological remodeling and the new techniques affect healing processes after stent implantation remains unknown. ObjectiveThe objective of the PERFE-CTO study is to analyze stent coverage, malapposition and other mechanical abnormalities 3 months after CTO recanalization using intravascular imaging. MethodsIn a French prospective interventional multicenter study, stent strut coverage, acquired malapposition and neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) proliferation will be systematically assessed with 3 months angiogram control and intracoronary optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) after successful CTO PCI of >20 mm in length. The impact of routine systematical intracoronary imaging after these complex procedures will also be evaluated by measuring the rate of significant mechanical abnormalities (strut malapposition, edge dissection, thrombus) that was undetected by fluoroscopy alone and by complementary PCI when needed. Secondarily, these data will be compared according to clinical characteristics, antiplatelet therapy use or desobstruction technique (antegrade vs. retrograde, true lumen vs. subintima). Each patient will undergo a one-year clinical follow-up. A total of 150 analyzed CTO lesions is expected. ConclusionThe PERFE-CTO study will provide essential understanding of the early history after CTO recanalization and the identification of inadequate evolution (stent thrombosis, restenosis or late delayed stent endothelization and cardiovascular outcomes) using intravascular imaging to improve long-term CTO results.

Retrograde approach for the percutaneous recanalisation of coronary chronic total occlusions: contribution to clinical practice and long-term outcomes.

We aimed to evaluate the contribution of the retrograde approach to real-world practice over time and its long-term outcomes in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated 1,635 CTO procedures conducted at our high-volume centre between 2003 and 2015. The retrograde approach has been actively adopted in practice since January 2007. The primary endpoint was target vessel failure (TVF), a composite of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularisation/reocclusion. The technical success rate of CTO-PCI has increased from 79.5% to 87.1% since 2007, although the complexity of the CTOs has also significantly increased in that time (J-CTO scores: from 1.8±1.2 to 2.0±1.1, p=0.03). The incidence of in-hospital MACCE using the retrograde approach was 4.5%, which was comparable to the antegrade-only approach rate of 4.1% (p=0.58). The retrograde approach showed a higher four-year TVF rate after successful stenting compared with the antegrade-only approach (17.1% vs 9.4%, p=0.01), but this difference was mainly driven by a higher target vessel revascularisation/reocclusion rate. Multivariable analysis revealed that renal dysfunction (hazard ratio [HR] 3.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-7.83), acute coronary syndrome (HR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.26-3.14), the J-CTO score (per 1, HR 1.23, 95% CI: 1.00-1.51), and the smallest stent diameter (per 1 mm, HR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.21-0.74) (all p<0.05) were independently associated with TVF. A retrograde approach contributes to the increased success of more complex CTO-PCI over time with an acceptable frequency of in-hospital complications and four-year TVF rate.

Moderator band connections: an unusual route in retrograde chronic total occlusion procedure: moderator band connections as options to right coronary artery chronic total occlusion

Vessel Plus is an open acccess journal, which publishes articles related to vascular diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke, peripheral vascular or pulmonary vascular diseases, etc.

54 Development of a model for predicting radiological risks in interventional cardiology

Introduction The aim of the study is to estimate, before intervention, the radiation dose that will be delivered to the patient during a recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO). Relevant clinical indicators should be selected to predict, at best, the risk of deterministic effects and improve patient care. Methods 103 CTO procedures were performed in a department of interventional cardiology with a Siemens Artis Zee C-arm giving Air Kerma. The peak skin dose was measured for each intervention, using radiochromic films. Patient parameters, such as gender, age weight and height were recorded. The complexity index (J-CTO score) which is specific to each intervention, was determined by the cardiologist. A correlation study has clarified the impact of these indicators on the dose. A predictive model of the dose to the patient was found. Results Of the 103 patients studied, 5 were excluded from the study for clinical reasons, 2 others because radiochromic films were outside of the exposure field. Finally, 96 2D dose maps were used for the study. The factors showing the highest correlation with the peak skin dose are patient diameter and J-CTO score. The prediction model is therefore based on these two parameters. The comparison between the predicted skin dose and measured skin dose showed an average difference of 0.85 ± 0.55 Gy for doses less than 6 Gy. The average difference between Air-Kerma and peak skin dose is about 1.66 Gy ± 1.16 Gy. Conclusions An initial estimate of the skin dose to the patient is given prior to the start of the intervention. This indication helps the cardiologist to work effectively and safely. This predicted dose is more accurate than the estimate provided by the air-kerma.

Prognostic value of the high-sensitivity troponin T assay after percutaneous intervention of chronic total occlusions.

The prognostic value of postprocedural high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) is currently unclear. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of elevated hs-TnT after elective CTO-PCI. The current study included 409 patients undergoing elective CTO-PCI between September 2011 and August 2016 at two centres who had postprocedural hs-TnT measurements available. Clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics were correlated with any or at least five times the 99th percentile hs-TnT elevation, as well as a 1-year combined endpoint of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and mortality. Post-CTO-PCI hs-TnT elevation was observed in 85% (n = 349/409) and at least five times hs-TnT elevation occurred in 42% (n = 172/409) of cases. hs-TnT elevation was more frequent in more complex patients (postcoronary artery bypass grafting, peripheral vascular disease, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and multivessel disease) as well as in the more complex CTO procedures (higher Japanese CTO complexity, use of retrograde and antegrade dissection re-entry techniques). After 1 year of follow-up (FU), MACCE was not associated with postprocedural hs-TnT elevation, both any elevation (10.9 vs. 11.7%; P = 0.846) and at least five times hs-TnT elevation (15.7 vs. 11.7%; P = 0.451; hazard ratio = 1.375, confidence interval: 0.599-3.157, P = 0.453), compared with no elevation. A nonsignificant trend towards higher mortality in the at least five times hs-TnT vs. no elevation group (4.7 vs. 0%; P = 0.091) was observed. In patients undergoing CTO-PCI, postprocedural hs-TnT elevation is frequent, but is not correlated with higher MACCE and mortality rates after 1-year FU in our small study population, suggestive of the limited long-term impact of troponin elevation.