Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion Research Articles

National prevalence and outcomes of coronary chronic total occlusion revascularization in patients with congestive heart failure

Abstract Background There is limited data on the prevalence and outcomes of coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization in patients with congestive heart failure. Purpose Our goal is to study the prevalence and outcomes of CTO revascularization in terms of in-hospital mortality, re-admission rate, and complications in patients stratified by their heart failure status. Methods Patients with CTO who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were included for the years 2010 - 2018 from the national readmission database. We compared the national trends, prevalence and outcomes of CTO revascularization in patients with no heart failure, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) using one-way ANOVA and logistic regression. Results A total of 166,244 (69±11 years, 26% women) patients with coronary CTO who underwent PCI were identified. Of these, 131,664 (79%) patients had no clinical diagnosis of HF, while 26,612 (16%) patients had HFpEF, and 7,968 (5%) patients had HFrEF. Majority of patients with HFpEF and HFrEF had a moderate to high Elixhauser comorbidity score, while those with no HF had mostly low to moderate score (p<0.001). We observed a steady decrease in annual CTO revascularization from a total of 24,708 in 2010 to 13,505 in 2018. However, the percentage of CTO revascularization in patients with HFrEF has increased during this period from 2% in 2010 to 8% in 2018. Interestingly, patients with HFpEF had higher rates of cardiac arrest (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.2; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.8–2.7, p<0.001), ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (OR 3.7; 95% CI 3.4–4.0, p<0.001), use of mechanical support (OR 5.5; 95% CI 4.9–6.2, p<0.001), and death during admission (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.8–2.7, p<0.001) than those with no HF and with HFrEF. Similarly, patients with HFpEF had higher rates of intensive care unit admission (9%), than those with HFrEF (5%), and no HF (2%) (p<0.001). Readmission rates were similar across all three groups (0.5–0.7%, p=0.06). The median cost of hospitalization was significantly higher in the HFpEF group compared to the other groups ($98,366, p<0.001). Conclusion In this cohort of patients, we observed an overall annual decline in CTO revascularization over the 8-year study period. Despite this decline, we observed an increase in CTO revascularization in patient with HFrEF. Interestingly, patients with HFpEF had elevated in hospital mortality and higher rates of cardiac arrest, ventricular arrhythmias, mechanical circulatory support, and admission to the cardiac care unit than those with no HF, or those with HFrEF. Despite their persevered ejection fraction, our findings suggest that CTO revascularization in with patients with HFpEF carry a significant risk, thus risks versus benefits in this group of patients should be weighed considerably before attempting revascularization. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Cardiac magnetic resonance strain and mechanical dispersion assessment in patients with chronic total coronary artery occlusion

Abstract Background Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are a frequent angiographic finding. Viability of CTO-subtended myocardium is dependent on the presence of an adequate collateral circulation. At rest, collateral supply may be sufficient to avert ischaemia and maintain normal systolic function. However, it remains unclear whether CTO-subtended myocardium may be considered truly normal, or whether subtle functional abnormalities may be present at rest. Purpose To determine whether, in the absence of infarction and hibernation, CTO-subtended myocardium remains functionally normal or whether abnormalities of strain and/or mechanical dispersion may be present at rest. Methods In a retrospective, single centre, observational study, we studied patients with ≥1 angiographically-diagnosed CTO referred for clinical stress perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and compared healthy volunteers (HVs) with a normal stress CMR scan. CMR imaging comprised functional and scar assessment with qualitative [visual] evaluation of infarction and segmental wall motion. Patients with infarction and/or wall motion score index (WMSI) ≥1 were excluded from further analysis. In remaining CTO subjects and HVs, segmental peak systolic longitudinal strain and circumferential strain were analysed (in 3 long-axis planes and 3 short-axis planes, respectively) and mechanical dispersion for both orientations was computed. Image analysis was performed using Medis (QStrain) software blinded to all clinical information. Results From a total of 389 patients with ≥1 angiographically-diagnosed CTO, 68 had normal WMSI and no infarction (63.0±11.7 years, 79.4% male, LVEF 62.6±4.5%). Fifty HVs (61.1±7.0 years, 74.0% males, LVEF 61.1±5.3%) were also studied. The majority of CTO patients had concomitant coronary artery disease in at least one non-CTO vessel (n=37, 54.4%). GLS was lower in CTO patients than HVs (−21.8%±1.5% versus −24.0±1.1%; p<0.0001; Figure 1). By contrast, GCS was greater in CTO patients (−32.7±2.5% versus −28.8±2.1%; p<0.0001). Mechanical dispersion was increased in CTO patients (Figure 2), both longitudinally (90.3±14.6 ms in CTO patients versus 68.6±11.1 ms in HVs; p<0.0001) and circumferentially (66.7±9.1 ms versus 55.3±6.6 ms, respectively; p=0.02). Conclusion Subclinical changes in left ventricular dynamics are present at rest in CTO patients with fully viable myocardium and no evidence of resting regional wall abnormality. Further study is warranted to evaluate the potential association between mechanical dispersion and arrhythmic events in CTO. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): NIHR Clinician Scientist Award (CS-2018-18-ST2-007 to J.R.A.) and Research Professorship award (RP-2017-08-ST2-007 to G.P.M.). Figure 1. Strain analysis. CTO vs HVFigure 2. Mechanical dispersion. CTO vs HV

Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty in Chronic Totally Occluded Pulmonary Arteries: Applying Lessons Learned From the Treatment of Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusions.

This study aims to describe the safety and efficacy of revascularizing chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the pulmonary arteries with balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). BPA has emerged as an effective treatment for CTEPH patients when surgical treatment is not possible. Experience to date has suggested treating CTOs may be associated with excess risk and less procedural success relative to other lesion types. This study is a retrospective case series of all BPAs on CTOs for individuals with CTEPH at a single institution. Procedural approach, complications, and success rate over a 6-month period are described. During the study period, 6 individuals with 15 CTOs were identified and intervened upon during 21 interventions. Success rate for revascularization was 62% per attempt and 87% per lesion. Techniques used for successful intervention include true to true lumen wiring (n = 7) and subintimal dissection re-entry with subintimal tracking and re-entry (n = 3), Stingray balloon (Boston Scientific) assisted re-entry (n = 2), and direct wire re-entry (n = 1). Wire perforations were relatively common and occurred in 62% of interventions, but rarely resulted in a change in clinical status. Although important barriers to routine intervention on CTOs in CTEPH remain, the current series suggests a higher success rate than previously reported experiences using CTO revascularization techniques including subintimal tracking and re-entry and Stingray balloon-assisted re-entry. Although the frequency of wire perforation was relatively high, the clinical ramifications of these complications were mild.

A Clinical Analysis of the Treatment of Chronic Coronary Artery Occlusion With Antegrade Dissection Reentry.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of antegrade dissection re-entry (ADR) technique in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to open chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions.Methods: The baseline, angiographic results, PCI success rate, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during the 12 months of follow-up were compared between 48 patients who did not use ADR in the treatment of CTO lesions (control group) and 50 patients who used ADR (treatment group).Results: The control group comprised 48 patients who had 52 CTO lesions, and the treatment group comprised 50 patients who had 58 CTO lesions. The success rate of PCI in the treatment group (89.7 vs. 71.2%, P = 0.047) was significantly higher than in the control group, where six patients had in-stent restenosis (ISR, ISR-CTO) that were all recanalized. The mean PCI time (71 ± 25 min vs. 95 ± 33 min, P = 0.041), X-ray exposure time (42 ± 17 min vs. 71 ± 22 min, P = 0.032), contrast agent dosage (98 ± 26 ml vs. 178 ± 63 ml, P = 0.029), MACE incidence during the 12 months of follow-up (22.0 vs. 41.7%, P = 0.046) and recurrent myocardial infarction incidence (10.0 vs. 27.1%, P = 0.047) were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. The differences were all statistically significant.Conclusion: It is safe and effective to use the ADR technique in PCI for coronary artery CTO lesions. The technique shortens the operation time, reduces the radiation dose of doctors and patients and the use dose of contrast agents, and improves patients' prognoses.

A New Occluding Balloon-Facilitated Reversed Guidewire Technique in Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for the Right Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion Involving Distal Bifurcation.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be challenging when a bifurcation lesion complicates a distal CTO cap.1,2 Baseline wiring into the true lumen at the point of bifurcation is essential to avoid jeopardizing the side branches (SB).1 The angle of bifurcation is occasionally quite large, and the reversed guidewire technique is useful in this clinical scenario.3 A critical step of the technique involves a second guidewire going into the SB far enough to provide good support. Here, we present a case where an occluding balloon technique facilitated the advance of the second guidewire.

Long Term Follow up After Successful Recanalization of Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion Using Antegrade Versus Retrograde Approach by Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography

Background: Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) represent the most technically challenging lesion subset that interventional cardiologists face. CTOs are identified in up to one third of patients referred for coronary angiography and remain seriously undertreated with percutaneous techniques. The complexity of these procedures and the suboptimal success rates over a long period of time, along with the perception that CTOs are lesions with limited scope for recanalization, account for the underutilization of CTO Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).

Revascularization of Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion by Active Antegrade Reverse Wire Technique.

Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety of ARW for vascular recanalization in CTO patients. Background Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary artery accompanied with large branch distal to the occluded segment (<2 mm) is one of the challenges physicians are facing during the coronary intervention. In cases where the antegrade wire passed the occluded segment reaching the branch vessel, but could not access the main vessel through various adjustments, application of active antegrade reverse wire technique (ARW) could be considered. Patients and Methods. A total of 301 consecutive CTO patients who received the antegrade percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between December 2015 and December 2019 at our institution were included, of whom 11 were treated with ARW (10 successfully) for vascular recanalization. The applicability and safety of ARW were assessed. Results Among the 301 CTO patients who received antegrade vascular recanalization, 11 were treated with ARW. ARW was successful in 10 patients as follows: from the diagonal branch (D) to anterior descending branch (LAD) in 4 patients; from the septal branch (S) to LAD in 1 patient; from D to S and LAD in 1 patient; from the circumflex branch (LCX) to obtuse marginal branch (OM) in 1 patient; from OM to LCX in 1 patient; from a posterior descending artery (PDA) to the posterior lateral vein (PLV) in 2 patients. Yet, ARW in patient with RCAm CTO failed, while the consequent retrograde PCI succeeded. The mean J-CTO score of the 11 patients was 2.7 ± 0.65, among whom eight were accompanied with calcifications. Sion Black and Fielder XTR reverse wires were used in 9 and 2 patients, respectively. No loss of side branches or severe procedure-related complications occurred in 11 patients. Conclusion Therefore, ARW can improve procedural efficiency and should be popularized for further application.

Predictors of Myocardial Viability in Patients with Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion by Myocardial Perfusion Imaging

Coronary artery disease (CAD) still remains one of the leading causes of mortality in many countries with more than 17 million deaths worldwide. This study aimed to assess the predictors of myocardial viability in patient with coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) by Myocardial Perfusion Imaging. Methods: This study included 100 patients with previous coronary angiography (CA) in which they detected that they have one or more vessel with CTO. And patients were divided in to two groups: Group 1: Viable Myocardium, and Group 2: Non-Viable Myocardium. Patients were subjected to complete history taking, general and local physical Examination, 12 Lead ECG, Laboratory investigation of serum troponin, conventional Echocardiography, Diagnostic Coronary angiography, and Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). This study included 100 male with no females included. Their mean age was 56±8 years. 66% of patient showed myocardial viability, while 34% showed myocardial not viable. There was statistical difference between viable and not viable groups regarding the MPI; all patients in non-viable group shows scar with no reversable ischemia, while 68.2% of the viable group show reversible ischemia, and 31.8%had mixed scar with reversible ischemia, p < 0.001. EF could predict the viability, AUC= 0.992, at cut off value above 46%, the sensitivity was 0.949 and specificity was 0.934. IVSD could predict the viability, AUC= 0.950, at cut off value above 6.1 mm, the sensitivity was 0.974 and specificity was 0.967.

Management of Chronic Total Occlusion of Coronary Artery.

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a coronary artery is typically defined as a completely occluded artery without any antegrade flow and a duration of at least 3 months. We reviewed the current literature describing the optimal management of CTO including the role of revascularization and choice of modality, i.e., percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL) were searched and relevant studies of patients with CTO were selected for review. The prevalence of coronary artery CTOs is approximately 25% among patients undergoing coronary angiography for angina. Available data suggests that PCI of CTO can be a technically complex procedure with relatively lower success rates compared with non-CTO PCI and typically associated with a higher complication rate especially at nonspecialized centers. Furthermore, successful CTO-PCI is associated with symptomatic improvement but does not appear to improve mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, and repeat revascularization rates. Based on contemporary data, PCI of CTO lesions may be considered in patients with incapacitating angina despite treatment with optimal guideline-directed medical therapy and in whom based on coronary anatomy there is a reasonable chance of technical success with an acceptable risk.

Impact of chronic total occlusion and revascularization strategy in patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock: A subanalysis of the culprit-shock trial

The impact of coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) and its management with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of myocardial infarction (MI) related cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unclear. This is a pre-specified analysis from the culprit-lesion-only PCI vs multivessel PCI in CS (CULPRIT-SHOCK) trial which randomized patients presenting with MI and multivessel disease complicated by CS to a culprit-lesion-only or immediate multivessel PCI strategy. CTO was defined by central core-laboratory evaluation. The independent associations between the presence of CTO and adverse outcomes at 30 days and 1 year were assessed using multivariate logistics models. A noninfarct related CTO was present in 157 of 667 (23.5%) analyzed patients. Patients presenting with CTO had more frequent diabetes mellitus or prior PCI but less frequently presented with ST segment elevation MI as index event. The presence of CTO was associated with higher rate of death at 30 days (adjusted Odds ratio 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.60). Rate of death at 1 year was also increased but did not reach statistical significance (adjusted Odds ratio 1.62; 95%CI 0.99-2.66). Compare to immediate multivessel PCI, a strategy of culprit-lesion-only PCI was associated with lower rates of death or renal replacement therapy at 30 days in patients with and without CTO (Odds ratio 0.79 95%CI 0.42-1.49 and Odds ratio 0.67 95%CI 0.48-0.96, respectively), without significant interaction (P = .68). In patients with MI-related CS and multivessel disease, the presence of CTO is associated with adverse outcomes while a strategy of culprit-lesion-only PCI seems beneficial regardless of the presence of CTO.

Abstract 16977: Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: Insights on Upstream Management

Introduction: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of coronary artery chronic total occlusions (CTO) has increased over time, despite representing higher procedural risk than traditional PCI. While guidelines for stable ischemic heart disease recommend antianginal therapy prior to attempted revascularization, the frequency with which this occurs for CTO PCI remain unknown. We propose to assess the frequency and variability in upstream use of antianginal therapy prior to CTO PCI attempt over time. Methods: This study identified all patients who underwent a CTO PCI attempt from January 2012 to September 2018 across the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System using the Veterans Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting and Tracking (CART) program. Patients were categorized by upstream management: (A) &lt;2 antianginal medications prescribed in year prior to CTO PCI, (B) ≥ 2 antianginals (C) Stress testing within 3 months of CTO PCI attempt and (D) ≥2 antianginals AND stress testing. Antianginal medications included beta blockers, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and ranolazine. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the propensity for receiving each category of treatment over time. Results: During the study period, 4250 patients underwent CTO PCI, with 1716 (40%) on ≥2 antianginal medications, 2534 (60%) on &lt;2 antianginals, 1023 (24%) with stress testing, and 338 (8%) on ≥2 antianginals with stress testing. Trends in upstream medical management of patients undergoing CTO PCI were unchanged over each fiscal year (Figure 1A) while odds of preprocedural stress testing decreased across fiscal years (Figure 1B). Conclusions: The majority of patients were on low intensity antianginal medical therapy prior to CTO PCI. Utilization of preprocedural stress testing decreased over time while patterns of upstream medical management remained constant, suggesting an opportunity to improve guideline compliance among patients undergoing attempted CTO PCI.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance to predict clinical outcome in chronic total coronary artery occlusion

Abstract Background Chronic total coronary artery occlusions (CTOs) are present in approximately 20–30% of patients undergoing invasive angiography. Despite their prevalence, the optimum management strategy of CTOs remains uncertain. A potential limitation in published trials of CTO revascularisation is their failure to incorporate systematic assessment of ischaemia/viability in informing revascularisation decisions. Aim We sought to determine the prognostic utility of ischaemia/viability assessment by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large, contemporaneous, real-world CTO population. Methods We retrospectively studied consecutive adult patients with≥1angiographically identified CTO who were referred for clinical CMR imaging during a consecutive 8-year period in our centre (2010–2018). Multi-parametric CMR comprised functional assessment, adenosine-stress perfusion and scar imaging. For perfusion assessment, images were analysed qualitatively with a concurrent examination of scar images. Myocardial segments were assigned to CTO or non-CTO territories according to standard criteria, taking into account coronary dominance. Significant ischaemia was defined as ≥10% and/or ≥2 contiguous myocardial segments with hibernation. Angiographic collateral flow to the CTO territory was graded using the Rentrop classification and the Collateral Connection (CC) Score. Significant CAD in non-CTO vessels was defined angiographically as ≥50% stenosis in any epicardial coronary artery/branch with diameter ≥2mm. The composite clinical endpoint comprised all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalisation. Results From a total of 27,201 invasive angiograms performed during the study period, 389 patients were diagnosed with CTO and underwent CMR imaging (mean age 65.0±11.0 years, 84% male). CTO was present most frequently in the right coronary artery (59% of subjects, 229/389), with left circumflex (LCx) artery involvement in 29% (112/389) and left anterior descending (LAD) artery in 29% (111/389). Collaterals with CC grade ≥2 were identified in 186 subjects (48%), and Rentrop score ≥2 in 300 (77%). Significant ischaemia was present in 61% of patients, and infarction in 71% (median infarction 8.6% [interquartile range (IQR) 4.5–14.1]. With a median follow-up time of 3.30 years [IQR 0.04–8.64], 65 (17%) met the composite endpoint. On multivariate analysis, neither significant ischaemia nor infarction was associated with the composite endpoint. However, non-CTO territory ischaemia was independently predictive of adverse outcome (hazard ratio 1.93; 95% CI 1.16–3.21; p=0.0113). Conclusion CTO-territory ischaemia and infarction are not predictive of adverse clinical outcome, challenging the assertion that CTO revascularisation may be guided by ischaemia assessment. The finding that non-CTO territory ischaemia is associated with adverse cardiovascular events warrants further investigation. Kaplan-Meier curves_CTO Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): British Heart Foundation

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention for right coronary artery chronic total occlusion after Cabrol procedure and the following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention for right coronary artery chronic total occlusion after Cabrol procedure and the following coronary artery bypass grafting.

Impact of Periprocedural myocardial injury after successful recanalization of coronary artery chronic total occlusion using antegrade versus retrograde approach

Background: The risk of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) may be underestimated because systematic cardiac biomarkers measurement was not performed in published studies. Objective: To evaluate the incidence, correlations, and clinical implications of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) antegrade versus retrograde approach. Patients and methods: Between February 2018 and November 2019, the study included 80 patients with successful PCI to chronic total occlusion 60 patients with antegrade approach and 20 patients with retrograde approach after exclusion of failed PCI, renal failure, heart failure with moderate and severe reduced ejection fraction: cardiac biomarkers (CKMB) were performed to all patients before PCI and 12 hours after, to assess the periprocedural myocardial injury. PMI was defined as creatine kinase-myocardial band increase ≥3× the upper limit of normal, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during mid-term follow up were evaluated. Results: Retrograde approach was used in 25% of all procedures PMI occurred in 9 patients (11.25%). The incidence of PMI was higher in patients treated with retrograde approach than antegrade approach (25%, 6,7% respectively p=0.039), during a median follow up of 6 months compared with patients without PMI. Those with PMI had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (p= <0.001). Conclusions: PMI post CTO PCI was associated with the presence of several clinical, angiographic, and procedural factors, and has an adverse effect on 6-months clinical outcomes. These findings could be valuable for improving the quality of care for patients with CTO. The antegrade approach was more safe and effective than retrograde approach.

Myocardial blood flow assessment with myocardial perfusion scan in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion

Introduction and purpose: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cardiological problem in modern society. A special form of CAD is the Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO), which affects about 20% of visible coronary artery lesions. The aim of the study is to present the role of myocardial perfusion scintigraphy performed on patients with CTO, and scintigraphic findings in these patients.Material and method: It was a retrospective study. We analized studies in patients with CTO reported in medical history. We included studies performed between 2016 and 2019. 119 cases were found with the majority of men (M = 95, W = 24). The patients’ mean age was 65 years (M = 65, W = 66). In order to assess ischemia in these patients, the stress test was applied by means of physical exercise (cycloerometer) or pharmacological test. If patient's clinical condition did not allow a stress test, only a rest test was performed.Results: In the analyzed group the most common occluded vessel was the right coronary artery (59%). In this case, mean ischaemia was found to cover 18% of the myocardium. The second most frequent obstructed vessel was the circumflex (16%) with ischaemia of 15%. The next artery was left anterior descending artery with ischaemia of 30% and other vessel - 7%. 9 patients had more than one vessel closed.Conclusions: Myocardial perfusion imaging helps to choose optimal treatment in patients with CTO.

Quantification of late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular MRI in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion

To determine the most accurate and reproducible semi-automated greyscale thresholding technique for quantifying late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), by using positron-emission tomography (PET) as the reference standard in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO). LGE in CMRI, single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT), and PET were performed within 1 week in each of 63 patients with known CTO. The presence and quantity of LGE were determined with greyscale thresholds of 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium and full width at half maximum (FWHM). The infarcted myocardium was delineated by PET. Sixty-three patients and 1,008 segments were analysed. Based on patient analysis, with PET as the reference standard, the 5 SD method yielded the strongest correlation (r=0.85, p<0.0001) compared with the 2 SDs (r=0.42), 4 SDs (r=0.73), 6 SDs (r=0.81), 8 SDs (r=0.71), and FWHM (r=0.69; p<0.001 for all comparisons). The 5 SDs threshold quantification showed high interobserver and intra-observer agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.90, p<0.0001; ICC=0.93, p<0.0001, respectively). Semi-automated LGE CMRI greyscale thresholding with 5 SDs above the mean signal intensity for normal remote myocardium yields the strongest correlation to the extent of LGE identified using PET and is highly reproducible in patients with CTO.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion

IntroductionCoronary artery disease is a common diagnosis among patients evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It is unknown whether the presence of coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) has any impact on TAVR post-procedural in-hospital outcomes. MethodsThe study population was extracted from the 2016 Nationwide Readmissions Data using International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition, clinical modifications/procedure coding system codes for TAVR, coronary CTO and post-procedural complications. Study endpoints included in-hospital all-cause mortality, length of index hospital stay, paravalvular leak (PVL), mechanical complications of prosthetic valve, cardiogenic shock, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute kidney injury (AKI), need for a permanent pacemaker, and bleeding. Propensity matching was used to extract a matched control (TAVR-M group to TAVR-CTO group). ResultsThere were 23,604 TAVR, of whom, 467 discharges were identified in each group. Baseline characteristics and comorbidities were comparable. Mean age was 80.5 years and 45.9% were female. In comparison to TAVR-M, TAVR-CTO was associated with longer length of stay (8.1 versus 5.9 days, p < 0.01), and higher incidence of post-procedural cardiogenic shock (5.1% versus 1.7%, p < 0.01), AMI (5.8% versus 2.8%, p = 0.02), and AKI (18.6% versus 13.9, p = 0.048). There was no significant difference between the two groups in in-hospital all-cause mortality (1.7% versus 2.4%, p = 0.49), PVL (1.3% versus 0.4%, p = 0.16), mechanical complications of prosthetic valve (0.4% versus 0.9%, p = 0.41), permanent pacemaker (11.6% versus 8.1%, p = 0.07), or bleeding (20.6% versus 19.7%, p = 0.74). ConclusionsIn comparison to TAVR-M, TAVR-CTO was associated with a higher incidence of cardiogenic shock, AMI, and AKI and longer LOS but similar mortality.

A Novel Algorithm for Treating Chronic Total Coronary Artery Occlusion

BackgroundGuidewire manipulation time is rarely used in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) strategies. ObjectivesThis study sought to develop an algorithm based on angiographic characteristics and guidewire manipulation time. MethodsThis study assessed 5,843 patients undergoing CTO PCI between January 2014 and December 2017 and enrolled in the Japanese CTO-PCI expert registry and analyzed their CTO-PCI strategies, procedural outcomes, and guidewire manipulation time. ResultsPrimary retrograde approach was performed on 1,562 patients. The average Japanese CTO score of primary antegrade approach and primary retrograde approach were 1.7 ± 1.1 and 2.3 ± 1.1, respectively (p < 0.001). The overall guidewire and technical success rates were 92.8% and 90.6%, respectively. Median guidewire manipulation time of guidewire success and failure were 56 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 22 to 111 min) and 176 min (IQR: 130 to 229 min), respectively. Median successful guidewire crossing time of single wiring and parallel wiring in the antegrade alone were 23 min (IQR: 11 to 44 min) and 60 min (IQR: 36 to 97 min), and rescue retrograde approach and primary retrograde approach were 126 min (IQR: 87 to 174 min) and 107 min (IQR: 70 to 161 min), respectively (p < 0.001). Significant predictors for antegrade guidewire failure in primary antegrade approach, which were reattempt, CTO length of ≥20 mm, and no stump, did not predict guidewire failure after collateral channel crossing in primary retrograde approach. ConclusionsResults from a large registry with information on guidewire manipulation time as well as CTO characteristics suggest a redefinition of the current strategy algorithms.

Percutaneous Intervention of Left Main Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is rare on the angiograms; Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is the standard method of its revascularization. To demonstrate that PCI may in some cases be a safe option for patients with a high-risk surgical category, we report a complex clinical case of revascularization of chronic total occlusion of the LMCA, left anterior descending artery (LAD), and circumflex artery (CX). Methods Recanalization of the occluded LMCA and LAD was performed by utilizing the support-balloon technique, and CTO wires (Miracle 3™ wire, Abbott Vascular; Runthrough® NS Intermediate wire, Terumo); LAD, CX, LMCA, and its bifurcation, were stented with 3 drug-eluting stents (Resolute Integrity DES, Medtronic); the "Culotte Stenting " technique was used for bifurcation stenting, followed by "Kissing Balloon" post-dilatation technique; proximal optimization technique was performed in the LMCA. Results The intervention ended without complications. 2 months after stenting, the ejection fraction increased from 20% to 38%, improved almost all parameters of the heart, Congestive Heart Failure functional class decreased to class I. Conclusions It should be considered that LMCA CTO lesions can be successfully revascularized with PCI in case of the selection of the suitable patient and appropriate revascularization technique.

Hot topics in interventional cardiology: Proceedings from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2019 Think Tank.

The society for cardiovascular angiography and interventions (SCAI) think tank is a collaborative venture that brings together interventional cardiologists, administrative partners, and select members of the cardiovascular industry community for high-level field-wide discussions. The 2020 think tank was organized into four parallel sessions reflective of the field of interventional cardiology: (a) coronary intervention, (b) endovascular medicine, (c) structural heart disease, and (d) congenital heart disease (CHD). Each session was moderated by a senior content expert and co-moderated by a member of SCAI's emerging leader mentorship program. This document presents the proceedings to the wider cardiovascular community in order to enhance participation in this discussion, create additional dialogue from a broader base, and thereby aid SCAI and the industry community in developing specific action items to move these areas forward.