Recanalization Of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloons in chronic total coronary occlusion recanalization: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundWith advancements in chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) recanalization techniques and concepts, the success rate of recanalization has been steadily increasing. However, the current data are too limited to draw any reliable conclusions about the efficacy and safety of drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to confirm the efficacy of DCB in CTO PCI.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science and Embase from inception to July 25, 2023. The primary outcome was major advent cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). The follow-up angiographic endpoints were late lumen enlargement (LLE), reocclusion and restenosis.ResultsFive studies with a total of 511 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Across studies, patients were predominantly male (72.9-85.7%) and over fifty years old. The summary estimate rate of MACE was 13.0% (95% CI 10.1%-15.9%, I2 = 0%, p = 0.428). The summary estimate rates of cardiac death and MI were 2.2% (95% CI 0.7%-3.7%, I2 = 0%, p = 0.873) and 1.2% (95% CI -0.2-2.6%, I2 = 13.7%, p = 0.314), respectively. Finally, the pooled incidences of TLR and TVR were 10.1% (95% CI 5.7%-14.5%, I2 = 51.7%, p = 0.082) and 7.1% (95% CI 3.0%-11.2%, I2 = 57.6%, p = 0.070), respectively. Finally, the summary estimate rates of LLE, reocclusion and restenosis were 59.4% (95% CI 53.5–65.3%, I2 = 0%, p = 0.742), 3.3% (95% CI 1.1–5.4%, I2 = 0%, p = 0.865) and 17.5% (95% CI 12.9–22.0%, I2 = 0%, p = 0.623), respectively.ConclusionAccordingly, DCB has the potential to be used as a treatment for CTO in suitable patients.

Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization: When, Who and How?

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) are an increasingly frequent entity in clinical practice and represent a challenging percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) scenario. Despite data from randomized trials that have not yet demonstrated a clear benefit of CTO recanalization, the widespread of CTO-PCI has substantially increased. The improvement in operators' techniques, equipment, and training programs has led to an improvement in the success rate and safety of these procedures, which will represent an important field of future development of PCI. The present review will summarize clinical outcomes and technical and safety issues of CTO revascularization with the aim to guide clinical daily cath-lab practice.

Stiff wire scratching to fenestration, de-escalation, and re-entry technique (SSDR): A novel wire-based antegrade dissection/re-entry technique for coronary chronic total occlusion recanalization.

Stiff wire scratching to fenestration, de-escalation, and re-entry technique (SSDR): A novel wire-based antegrade dissection/re-entry technique for coronary chronic total occlusion recanalization.

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.

Efficiency of the Guide Extension Catheter-Facilitated Tip-in Technique in the Recanalization of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion.

The tip-in technique, which involves advancing an antegrade microcatheter cross the lesion over a retrograde guidewire, is an elaborated maneuver in the recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). We seek to assess the efficiency of a guide extension catheter-facilitated tip-in technique in comparison to the traditional retrograde approach, which is accomplished by an externalization wire. Thirty-three CTO patients successfully revascularized using guide extension catheter-facilitated "tip-in" were included and matched with another 33 patients by J-CTO score and operators, whose CTO was recanalized using an externalized wire. The manipulation time from the first retrograde wire entering the antegrade guide to the first antegrade balloon inflation in the occlusion was calculated. Compared with the wire-externalization group, the manipulation time in the tip-in group was significantly shortened [389s; interquartile range (IQR), 272-478 vs 706s; IQR, 560-914; p < 0.001]. There was a trend in decreasing total operation time and radiation dose, but it did not reach statistical significance. Guide extension catheter-facilitated tip-in is an efficient method to achieve the recanalization of CTO in a retrograde way, which would be pivotal when the retrograde microcatheter could not be advanced into the antegrade guide catheter.

Clinical and angiographic outcomes following percutaneous treatment of non-occlusive vs. chronically total occluded coronary lesions

Abstract Background Recent advancements in recanalization techniques, introduction of dedicated equipment and elaboration of systematic algorithmic approaches have significantly improved procedural success of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. However, despite their undisputable merits in terms of procedural success, direct comparisons of mid-term clinical and angiographic outcomes following CTO and non-CTO-PCI are missing. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and angiographic outcomes of patients undergoing successful CTO-PCI as compared to a propensity matched cohort of patients undergoing PCI of non-occlusive coronary lesions. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing successful CTO recanalization procedures at our center between 2015 and 2018 were included (N=453; 472 lesions). For matching purposes, all patients undergoing non-CTO-PCI present in our database were included (N=14733; 23458 lesions). A 1-to-1 nearest neighbour matching using baseline clinical and angiographic variables was performed to identify one patient undergoing non-CTO-PCI (N=453; 472 vessels) for each patient undergoing CTO-PCI (N=453; 472 vessels). Surveillance angiography was scheduled at 6–9 months and clinical follow-up was performed up to 12 months. The primary clinical endpoint of interest was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary angiographic endpoint was in-segment binary restenosis. Results Patients undergoing CTO-PCI displayed a tendency towards higher degrees of binary restenosis at surveillance angiography as compared to those undergoing non-CTO-PCI (CTO vs. non-CTO: 30.5% vs. 24.0%; P=0.058), despite not meeting statistical significance. Of note, the incidence of occlusive restenosis was low and comparable between groups (2.2% vs. 1.4%; P=0.603). At 12 months follow-up, MACE occurred in 83 patients (19.7%) in the CTO-PCI and 59 patients (14.1%) in the non-CTO-PCI group (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.01; P=0.033). TLR rates were significantly higher following CTO- as compared to non-CTO-PCI (17.2% vs. 10.3%; HR=1.72 [1.18–2.51], P=0.005). The incidence of all-cause death (2.6% vs. 3.3%; P=0.548) and MI (0.5% vs. 1.4%; P=0.177) was not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion In this large, propensity-matched comparison of clinical and angiographic outcomes following CTO- vs. non-CTO-PCI, we found CTO-PCI to be associated with a higher MACE rate at 12 months, primarily driven by significantly higher TLR rates. The incidence of occlusive restenosis was low and comparable between groups. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion on Long-term Clinical Outcome in Patients with Unprotected Left Main Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: Reported data regarding the prevalence, prognostic impact, and safety and efficacy of revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in patients with left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are scarce. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical outcomes among patients with LMCA disease undergoing PCI. Outcomes were compared between those with and without coronary CTO and between those with CTO who had successful and unsuccessful CTO recanalization procedures. Methods: All consecutive patients with significant LMCA disease (&gt;50% stenosis at coronary angiography) who underwent PCI between July 2014 and December 2018 were retrospectively included in our study. The primary endpoint of the study was long-term mortality. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of myocardial infarction, repeat percutaneous or surgical revascularization, stroke, and stent thrombosis. Results: Between July 2014 and December 2018, 578 patients underwent PCI for LMCA disease at Pederzoli Hospital and University of Turin were enrolled. They were divided into 3 groups: group A: 374 (65%) patients without CTO, group B: 108 (19%) patients with untreated or unsuccessfully treated CTO, and group C: 96 (17%) patients with successfully treated CTO. At a median follow-up of (1090 ± 279) days, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the primary and secondary endpoints. However, there was a trend towards higher mortality in patients with untreated or unsuccessfully treated CTO (13% vs. 19% vs. 14% in groups A, B, and C, respectively; P = 0.12). The primary and secondary endpoints were further analyzed based on the presence or absence of myocardial viability: subgroup C1: 54 (56%) patients with successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) having viability, and subgroup C2: 42 (44%) patients with successful PTCA not having viability. There was a trend toward a statistically significant higher rate of death among patients in group B, who underwent unsuccessful recanalization with viable myocardium (19% vs. 9% vs. 19% in groups B, C1, and C2, respectively, P = 0.05). On multivariable analysis, the propensity for successful revascularization of CTO was associated with a reduced risk of death (P = 0.01; odds ratio, 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.62–0.87). Conclusions: Among patients with LMCA disease undergoing PCI, CTO represents a common finding associated with worse prognosis. Successful revascularization of CTO in patients with viable myocardium appears to significantly improve prognosis.

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Introduction and objectives: Chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) is often a complex entity to deal with through a percutaneous coronary intervention, and the clinical benefits of successful recanalization still remain uncertain. Most registries feature data in limited time periods and do not reflect the impact that specific dedicated programs have on recanalization. Our study evaluates the results of a CTO program on a long-term period of time. Methods: All patients’ CTOs treated with percutaneous coronary interventions at our center from 2002 through 2017 were prospectively included in the registry. The clinical, angiographic and procedural data were collected, and clinical follow-up was conducted. Three consecutive periods of time were considered for the analysis of temporal trends. Results: A total of 424 CTOs (408 patients) were included. In 339 patients (80%) the procedure was successful. The rate of success increased over time, from 57% in 2002-2006 to 87% in 2012-2017 (P = .001). The most important independent predictor of procedural failure was lesion tortuosity. After a median follow-up of 39.7 months, the rates of major adverse cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in success vs failed groups were 13.9% vs 24.7% (P = .015) and 3.6% vs 14.1% (P = .001), respectively. These were the independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality: chronic kidney disease, left anterior descending artery occlusion, and procedural failure. Conclusions: Our series shows a high rate of success in CTO recanalization, which has increased over the last few years due to greater expertise and improved program-specific technical advances. Several angiographic and procedural variables have been identified as predictors of failure. Successful procedures, especially on the left anterior descendent coronary artery, were associated with lower rates of cardiovascular mortality.

Switching From Proximal to Distal Radial Artery Access for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization.

BackgroundDistal radial access (DRA) was recently introduced in the hopes of improving patient comfort by allowing the hand to rest in a more ergonomic position throughout percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and potentially to further reduce the rate of complications (mainly radial artery occlusion, [RAO]). Its safety and feasibility in chronic total occlusion (CTO) PCI have not been thoroughly explored, although the role of DRA could be even more valuable in these procedures.MethodsFrom 2016 to 2021, all patients who underwent CTO PCI in 3 Hungarian centers were included, divided into 2 groups: one receiving proximal radial access (PRA) and another DRA. The primary endpoints were the procedural and clinical success and vascular access-related complications. The secondary endpoints were major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and procedural characteristics (volume of contrast, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, procedure time, hospitalization time).ResultsA total of 337 consecutive patients (mean age 64.6 ± 9.92 years, 72.4% male) were enrolled (PRA = 257, DRA = 80). When compared with DRA, the PRA group had a higher prevalence of smoking (53.8% vs. 25.7%, SMD = 0.643), family history of cardiovascular disease (35.0% vs. 15.2%, SMD = 0.553), and dyslipidemia (95.0% vs. 72.8%, SMD = 0.500). The complexity of the CTOs was slightly higher in the DRA group, with higher degrees of calcification and tortuosity (both SMD >0.250), more bifurcation lesions (45.0% vs. 13.2%, SMD = 0.938), more blunt entries (67.5% vs. 47.1%, SMD = 0.409). Contrast volumes (median 120 ml vs. 146 ml, p = 0.045) and dose area product (median 928 mGy×cm2 vs. 1,300 mGy×cm2, p < 0.001) were lower in the DRA group. Numerically, local vascular complications were more common in the PRA group, although these did not meet statistical significance (RAO: 2.72% vs. 1.25%, p = 0.450; large hematoma: 0.72% vs. 0%, p = 1.000). Hospitalization duration was similar (2.5 vs. 3.0 days, p = 0.4). The procedural and clinical success rates were comparable through DRA vs. PRA (p = 0.6), moreover, the 12-months rate of MACCE was similar across the 2 groups (9.09% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.35).ConclusionUsing DRA for complex CTO interventions is safe, feasible, lowers radiation dose and makes dual radial access more achievable. At the same time, there was no signal of increased risk of periprocedural or long-term adverse outcomes.

Validation of the newly introduced CASTLE Score for predicting successful CTO recanalization.

BackgroundThe new EuroCTO CASTLE Score was validated against the widely adopted Japanese Multicenter CTO Registry (J-CTO) score in predicting technical success in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO).MethodsA total of 463 patients treated by CTO PCI were included in a retrospective analysis. Result: The mean CASTLE score was 2.23 ± 1.1 and J-CTO score was 2.84 ± 1.0. The overall technical success rate was 83.2%. At 30 days follow up, a primary composite safety endpoint showed a low proportion of stent thrombosis (0.2%) and re-hospitalization (0.4%). Moreover, an improvement of clinical symptoms was found in 83% of patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC) demonstrated a comparable overall discriminatory performance in predicting technical outcome: CASTLE score, area under the ROC curve (AUC) 0.668, 95% CI: 0.606–0.730; J-CTO score AUC 0.692, 95% CI: 0.631–0.752; Comparison of AUCs: p = 0.324. Those findings were even consistent in more complex procedures CASTLE Score ≥ 4 and J-CTO score ≥ 3: CASTLE Score AUC 0.514, 95% CI: 0.409–0.619; J-CTO score, AUC 0.617, 95% CI: 0.493–0.741; Comparison of AUCs: p = 0.211. Furthermore, increasing score values are accompanied by a longer examination and fluoroscopy time, more contrast medium and a higher dose area product.ConclusionCompared to the widely accepted J-CTO score, the new introduced EuroCTO CASTLE score demonstrated a comparable overall discriminatory performance in predicting technical outcomes in CTO PCI.

Predictors of Adverse Events Among Chronic Total Occlusion Patients Undergoing Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Medical Therapy.

ObjectiveLimited data are available on the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after a successful coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and medical therapy. This study aimed to identify predictors of MACE in CTO patients undergoing successful recanalization and medical therapy.MethodsA total of 2015 patients with CTOs were enrolled. About 718 patients underwent successful CTO recanalization, and 1297 patients received medical therapy. The primary outcome was the frequency of MACE, defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target-vessel revascularization. Multivariate models were used to determine predictors of MACE.ResultsIn successful CTO recanalization group, MACE occurred in 123 (17.1%) patients. In multivariate analysis, heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–3.04, p = 0.036) was identified as independent predictors for MACE in successful CTO recanalization. Additionally, in medical therapy group, the significant predictors of MACE were male gender (HR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13–2.05, p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.11–1.74, p = 0.003), heart failure (HR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.10–1.87, p = 0.007), J-CTO score (HR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.07–1.28, p = 0.001) and multivessel disease (HR 2.20, 95% CI: 1.42–3.39, p < 0.001).ConclusionHeart failure was predictor for composite cardiovascular events in patients with CTO after successful recanalization. Male gender, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, J-CTO score and multivessel disease were predictors of MACE in CTO patients with medical therapy.

Microcatheters for antegrade recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusions: Feasibility and safety of the corsair - A retrospective registry-based single operator experience

BackgroundThe Corsair collateral channel dilator was designed for retrograde passage in cases of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). Its antegrade use is discouraged and the number of published studies regarding such use is limited. Our single-operator experience examines the feasibility and safety of the Corsair in antegrade recanalization of chronic CTOs in a large cohort. MethodsWe queried the European Registry of Chronic Total Occlusion (ERCTO) for all microcatheters used in antegrade recanalizations between 2008 and 2016. We also retrospectively assessed all 722 coronary interventions for CTOs (624 antegrade, 98 retrograde) between January 2008 and December 2016, performed by a single operator who primarily applied the Corsair as antegrade microcatheter. Patient, procedure, and outcome data was analyzed. ResultsIn 17,787 cases performed by 93 operators contributing to the ERCTO database, there were 3294 with information on microcatheter type. The FineCross MG (73.9 %) was the most commonly used microcatheter. The Corsair was used in only 1.2 % (excluding patients in the single-operator cohort). In the same period 45.7 % (n = 285) of all 624 antegrade cases handled by our single operator were performed using the Corsair, with no exclusions due to anatomical or morphological criteria. The procedural success rate was 93.7 %. There were 2 cases of cardiac tamponade, 5 cases of minor perforation, and one catheter tip fracture. ConclusionsThe Corsair is rarely used for antegrade recanalization. In this single-operator experience, the antegrade use of the Corsair was safe. The success rate was high, although causative conclusions cannot be drawn.

Predictors of unsuccessful endovascular recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion

The prevalence of endovascular interventions for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) remains small worldwide. This is due to the complexity of procedure and the risk of intraoperative complications. In this regard, the search for predictors of unsuccessful endovascular intervention in CTO plays a special role. This will allow for a careful selection of patients with the most favorable expectation effect of the operation. Aim. To identify predictors of unsuccessful endovascular recanalization of CTO.Material and methods. This retrospective study included 180 patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) in the period from November 2017 to June 2019, who had multivessel lesion in combination with CTO. In all patients, an attempt was made to achieve complete myocardial revascularization. Depending on the success of procedure, the patients were divided into two groups: complete and incomplete myocardial revascularization. The follow-up period was 12 months.Results. All baseline characteristics of patients in the compared groups were similar. The successful recanalization rate of occlusion was 79,5%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that calcified CTO (p&lt;0,001), baseline SYNTAX (Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) score &gt;32 (p=0,006), CTO length &gt;30 mm (p=0,046) and CTO of circumflex artery (p&lt;0,01) are significant predictors of unsuccessful endovascular recanalization of CTO. To assess the predictive value of the model, a ROC analysis was carried out, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. The AUC was 0,87, which indicates a high predictive quality of the model. The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 78 and 81%, respectively.Conclusion. The study showed that the presence of calcified CTO, SYNTAX score &gt;32 points, CTO length &gt;30 mm, and CTO of circumflex artery are significant predictors of unsuccessful CTO recanalization.

Reattempt Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusions after Prior Failures: A Single-Center Analysis of Strategies and Outcomes.

Objective The initial recanalization rate of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is >85% when performed by experienced operators, but only 10% of prior failed CTO patients receive reattempted recanalization. This retrospective study analyzed the success rate and strategies used in reattempt percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of CTOs after prior failures. Methods Overall, 206 patients with 212 CTOs were enrolled. All patients with prior recanalization failures received reattempt PCIs from January 2015 to March 2019 at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University. Data on clinical factors (age, sex, comorbidities, left ventricular ejection fraction, history of cigarette usage, and revascularization), angiographic characteristics of CTOs (target lesion, Japanese Chronic Total Occlusion (J-CTO) score, the morphology of CTO lesions, and collateral channel scale), strategies (procedural approach and use of devices), and major adverse events were obtained and analyzed. Results The mean age of enrolled patients was 60.96 ± 12.36 years, with a male predominance of 90.3%. Of the patients, 47.1% had a prior myocardial infarction and 70.4% underwent stent implantation previously, while the in-stent occlusion rate was 6.6%. CTOs were primarily localized in the left anterior descending artery (43.9%) and the right coronary artery (43.9%). 80.7% of lesions were classified as very difficult (J-CTO score ≥3), and the overall success rate was 81.1%. In multivariable regression analysis, J-CTO score, collateral channel scale, application of coronary multispiral computed tomography angiography, dual injection, intravascular ultrasound, active greeting technique, parallel wiring, and CTO morphology were predictors of recanalization success. There were no significant differences in rates of procedural complications between the final recanalization success and failure groups. Conclusions Recanalization of complex CTOs is associated with high success rate and low complication rates when performed by high-volume CTO operators and after multiple reattempts.

Original Article--Value of Pathological Q Waves and Angiographic Collateral Grade in Patients Undergoing Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Study.

Background/aimSuccessful coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization was found by many studies to be associated with improved left ventricular (LV) systolic function and survival if evidence of viability is present. Little is known about the association of CTO revascularization in patients with electrocardiographic Q waves and improvement in angina burden as a measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) afterwards.MethodsIn this study, 100 patients with single vessel CTO were included. Myocardial viability was tested by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and 50 patients showed evidence of viability. Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores were used as a measure of HRQOL.ResultsPathological Q waves were present in 48 patients (including 19 patients with viable CTO territory) out of 100 patients. Patients with Q waves tended to have worse Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores compared to those with no Q waves (31.2 ± 11.7 vs 45.3 ± 13.9 respectively, p = 0.002), worse LV systolic function and wall motion score index (WMSI) on CMR. They also had significantly less prevalence of viability (p < 0.001). Patients with Q waves and positive viability had lower SAQ scores (37.2 ± 10.1 vs 52.7 ± 13.2 respectively, p = 0.02), higher LVEF and lower WMSI. They also had well developed collateral grade (2.1 ± 1.03 vs 0.7 ± 0.82 respectively, p < 0.001). After successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in the viable LV group, presence of Q waves was not associated with better LV functional recovery, while those with higher collateral grades were more likely to have better LV functional recovery post CTO-PCI. Patients with Q waves and viable CTO territory showed significantly better SAQ scores compared to pre-PCI (87.3 ± 12.2 vs 37.2 ± 10.1 respectively, p < 0.001). For angina frequency, post–PCI score was 80.2 ± 7.9 compared to 39.2 ± 7.1 before PCI, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that pathological Q waves, Rentrop's collateral grade and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) angina class before PCI were the most significant independent predictors of improved HRQOL as reflected by SAQ (OR for Q waves 7.83, 95% CI 1.62–18.91,p 0.003), (OR for Rentrop's collateral grade 8.31,95% CI 2.21–26.33, p < 0.001), (OR for CCS class 8.39, 95% CI 1.21–20.8, p 0.01).ConclusionWell-developed collateral circulation could independently predict LV functional recovery after CTO-PCI. Patients with Q waves and viable CTO territory tend to have higher CCS class before revascularization and get significant improvement of HRQOL after PCI. Other predictors of improved HRQOL are Rentrop's collateral grade and worse CCS class before PCI.

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in everyday clinical practice - an expert opinion of the Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society.

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) are increasingly encountered during invasive and non-invasive coronary angiography and remain the most challenging lesions for percutaneous revascularization. During recent years success rates and safety outcomes of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have substantially improved, particularly due to the introduction of new techniques and dedicated equipment as well as specialized training programs of CTO operators. Significantly, the steady advances in CTO PCI techniques have coincided with the new data from randomized clinical trials supporting the role of percutaneous recanalization of CTO in relieving angina and improving the quality of life. The current expert consensus document outlines the rationale, clinical outcomes as well as technical, safety and reimbursement issues of CTO PCI. In addition, the requirements for achieving and maintaining competency in CTO PCI among interventional cardiologists are discussed. Finally, we present the modified hybrid algorithm (the so-called Polish hybrid algorithm) providing some unique refinements to the contemporary CTO PCI strategies. Continuous efforts (including active engagement with the payer) are urgently needed to increase guideline-recommended referrals to CTO PCI, and thus improve the quality of life of CTO patients in Poland.

Active Retrograde Extra Backup with a Mother-and-Child Catheter to Facilitate Retrograde Microcatheter Collateral Channel Tracking in Recanalization of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of the active retrograde backup (ARB) for treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO) during retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Guiding support plays an important role in guidewire and microcatheter coronary channel (CC) tracking in retrograde PCI therapy for patients with CTO. However, the feasibility and safety of retrograde active use of a mother-and-child catheter are still unclear. Patients and Methods. A total of 271 consecutive patients with CTO who underwent retrograde PCI between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data of two groups were compared to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ARB. Results Of the 271 patients, 69.0% (187/271) underwent therapy through the septal branch, 31.0% (84/271) through the epicardial collateral channel, and 47.6% (129/271) through active retrograde extra backup with a mother-and-child catheter to facilitate retrograde microcatheter collateral CC tracking. The time of wire CC tracking was shorter in the ARB group than that in the non-ARB group (25.4 ± 8.5 vs 26.4 ± 9.7, p=0.348), but there was no significant difference. The duration of the retrograde microcatheter tracking (10.2 ± 3.8 vs 15.5 ± 6.8, p=0.012) and the retrograde approach (62.8 ± 20.3 vs 70.4 ± 24.3, p=0.026) in the ARB group was significantly shorter than that in the non-ARB group. The radiation dose (223.6 ± 112.7 vs. 295.2 ± 129.3, p=0.028), fluoroscopy time (50.6 ± 21.3 vs 62.3 ± 32.1, p=0.030), and contrast volume (301.8 ± 146.7 vs 352.2 ± 179.5, p=0.032) in the ARB group were significantly lower than that in the non-ARB group. There were no life-threatening procedural complications in either group. Complications unrelated to ARB included two cases of donor-vessel dissection, one case of CC perforation, and two cases of target-vessel perforation. There was no statistically significant difference in major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events between the groups during hospitalization (p > 0.05). Conclusion ARB is feasible, safe, and conducive to guidewire and microcatheter CC tracking in the recanalization of coronary CTO. It improves procedural efficiency and is worthy of further promotion.

124Impact of intimal tracking for recanalization of CTO lesions on long-term clinical outcomes

Abstract Background For recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions, subintimal guidewire tracking in both antegrade and retrograde approaches are commonly used. Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of subintimal tracking on long-term clinical outcomes after recanalization of CTO lesions. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2016, 474 CTO lesions (434patients) were successfully recanalized in our center. After guidewire crossing in a CTO lesion, those lesions were divided into intimal tracking group (84.6%, n=401) and subintimal tracking group (15.4%, n=73) according to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings. Long-term clinical outcomes including death, target lesion revascularization (TLR), target vessel revascularization (TVR) were compared between the two groups. In addition, the rate of re-occlusion after successful revascularization was also evaluated. Results The median follow-up period was 4.7 years (interquartile range, 2.8–6.1). There was no significant difference of the rate of cardiac death between the two groups (intimal tracking vs. subintimal tracking: 7.0% vs. 4.1%; hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 2.00; p=0.41), TLR (14.3% vs. 16.2%; hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.71 to 2.53; p=0.37), and TVR (17.5% vs. 20.3%; hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.72 to 2.23; p=0.42). However, the rate of re-occlusion was significantly higher in the subintimal tracking group than intimal tracking group at 3-years re-occlusion (4.2% vs. 14.5%; log-rank test, p=0.002, Figure). In the multivariate COX regression, subintimal guidewire tracking was an independent predictor of re-occlusion after CTO recanalization (HR: 5.40; 95% CI: 2.11–13.80; p&lt;0.001). Figure 1 Conclusions Subintimal guidewire tracking for recanalization of coronary CTO was associated with significantly higher incidence of target lesion re-occlusion during long-term follow-up period.

EFFECTIVENESS OF ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF IN-STENT RESTENOSIS AFTER SUCCESSFUL CHRONIC TOTAL CORONARY OCCLUSION RECANALIZATION

Aim. To assess the effectiveness of endovascular treatment of in-stent restenosis after successful chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) recanalization.Methods. 117 patients who underwent successful CTO recanalization in the period from 2009 to 2012 were included in the study. All patients were referred to the elective examination including coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography within 6.1±0.9 months after the successful recanalization. If in-stent restenosis after CTO recanalization was confirmed and further endovascular treatment was performed, patients underwent repeat endovascular examination after 6.6±0.8 months. Сoronary artery lumen was evaluated at the sites of the performed intervention.Results. 18.8% of patients had in-stent restenosis, of them 95.5% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. 76.2% of patients underwent high-pressure balloon predilatation, 4.8% of patients received paclitaxel-eluting balloons, 14.2% of patients – drug-eluting stents (DES), and 4.8% of patients - bare-metal stents. A significant increase of minimum lumen diameter after the percutaneous coronary intervention (from 0.8±0.5 mm to 2.2±0.3 mm, p&lt;0.01) and a decrease of coronary artery lumen stenosis (from 67.9±18.3% to 19.7±8.8%, p&lt;0.01) had been determined. There were no cases of death, acute myocardial infarction, acute strokes and target lesion thrombosis 6.6±0.8 months after the in-stent restenosis treatment. 52.8% of cases had repeat restenosis, including 56.3% of those who underwent high-pressure balloon predilatation and 33.3% of patients after DES implantation. The minimum lumen diameter decreased from 2.2±0.3 mm to 1.6±0.5 mm (p&lt;0.01), and the degree of lumen stenosis increased from 19.7±8.8 mm2 to 41.5±17.3 mm2 (p&lt;0.01).Conclusion. In-stent restenosis treatment after the successful CTO recanalization by the endovascular methods was effective in 47.2% of cases. DES and drug coated balloons can potentially reduce the rate of repeat restenosis.

Prospective randomized study of coronary chronic total occlusion recanalization using the CHOICE score

Background. Today there is no clear recommendations regarding the choice of a technique for coronary chronic total occlusion recanalization.Aim. The article aims to evaluate the efficacy of choosing the coronary chronic total occlusion primary recanalization strategy according to the CHOICE score in comparison with primary antegrade recanalization.Methods. This prospective single-center study included 160 patients with chronic total occlusion. The patients were randomized into two groups: in the first, the recanalization strategy was selected on the basis of the previously developed CHOICE score, in the second, antegrade recanalization technique was used as the primary strategy.Results. In the group where the choice of primary recanalization strategy was based on the CHOICE score, technical and procedural success rates were 90% and 88.8% and were significantly higher compared to those in the primary antegrade recanalization group, 76.3% and 75%, respectively. The success rate of the primary recanalization strategy was also higher in the group where choice of the primary recanalization strategy was based on the score (80% vs. 58.8%). At the hospital stage, 2 complications were recorded, one in each group. Thus, a patient in the CHOICE score-based strategy group developed periprocedural myocardial infarction, while the primary antegrade recanalization group there was 1 case complicated by perforation of the coronary artery, which required pericardiocentesis. The average number of stents and contrast did not differ between groups. However, the intervention time was longer in the group with primary antegrade recanalization (47.6 ± 28.2 vs. 39.2 ± 23.4).Conclusion. Selecting the CHOICE score-based recanalization can significantly increase the probability of procedural success and reduce the intervention time. Received 17 October 2018. Revised 13 December 2018. Accepted 18 December 2018. Funding: The study did not have sponsorship. Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.