Improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction and wall motion after successful recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions

Gender-Based Differences in Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusions (Insights from a Large Single-Center Registry)

Patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTO) are at a high risk for both periprocedural and post-procedural adverse events. Whether gender-differences in outcomes exist after PCI of CTO remain unclear. Therefore, we sought to investigate gender-based differences in outcomes after CTO-PCI. All patients who underwent elective CTO intervention from January 2012 to December 2017 at The Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, New York) were included. The primary end point of interest was major adverse cardiac events defined as the composite of death, myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization at 1 year of follow-up. A total 1,897 patients were included, of which 368 were women (19.4%). Mean follow-up time was 174 days. Women were older (66.8 ± 11.3 years vs 62.6 ± 10.9 years) and had a higher prevalence of co-morbidities including diabetes and chronic kidney disease. There were no significant differences in the rate of successful CTO-PCI between groups (73.5% vs 73.2%, p = 0.91). Women had higher rates of procedure-related complications including increased risk of post-procedural bleeding (4.1% vs 1.8%, p = 0.009) and acute vessel closure (1.36% vs 0.2%, p = 0.009). In multivariable-adjusted analysis, female gender was associated with higher risk of major adverse cardiac event and target vessel revascularization at 1 year. In conclusion, in this large single-center study, women who underwent percutaneous CTO revascularization experienced higher rates of periprocedural complications and worse clinical outcomes at 1 year compared with men. Further research is needed to address disparities in gender-specific outcomes of CTO-PCI.

Sex Differences in Clinical Profile and Outcome After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion

BACKGROUND

There are limited data around sex differences in the risk profile, treatments and outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions in contemporary interventional practice. We investigated the impact of sex on clinical and procedural characteristics, complications and clinical outcomes in a national cohort.

METHODS & RESULTS

We created a longitudinal cohort (2006-2018, n = 30,605) of patients with stable angina who underwent CTO PCI in the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society (BCIS) database. Clinical, demographic, procedural and outcome data were analysed in two groups stratified by sex: male (n = 24,651), female (n = 5954). Female patients were older (68 vs 64 years, P < 0.001), had higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN) and prior stroke. Utilization of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), drug eluting stents (DES), radial or dual access and enabling strategies during CTO PCI were higher in male compared to female patients. Following multivariable analysis, there was no significant difference in in-patient mortality (adjusted odds ratio (OR):1.40, 95 % CI: 0.75-2.61, P = 0.29) and major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (adjusted OR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 0.78-1.29, P = 0.96). The crude and adjusted rates of procedural complications (adjusted OR: 1.37, 95 % CI: 1.23-1.52, P < 0.001), coronary artery perforation (adjusted OR: 1.60, 95 % CI: 1.26-2.04, P < 0.001) and major bleeding (adjusted OR: 2.06, 95 % CI: 1.62-2.61, P < 0.001) were higher in women compared with men.

CONCLUSION

Female patients treated by CTO PCI were older, underwent lesser complex procedures, but had higher adjusted risk of procedural complications with a similar adjusted risk of mortality and MACCE compared with male patients.

Is it Worthy Enough to Revascularize Chronically Occluded Coronaries?

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) represent the "final frontier" of coronary interventions with the lowest procedural success rates and the most common reason for incomplete revascularization and referral to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). CTO lesions are not an infrequent finding during coronary angiography. They are often responsible for enhancing the complexity of the coronary disease burden thereby affecting the final interventional decision in the process. Notwithstanding the modest technical success of CTO-PCI, most of the earlier observational data demonstrated a clear survival benefit free of major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients undergoing successful CTO revascularization. However, data from recent randomized trials fail to uphold the same survival advantage albeit, showing some trend toward improvement in left ventricular function, quality of life indicators and freedom from fatal ventricular arrythmia. Various guidance statements propose a well-defined role for CTO intervention in specific situations provided criterions for patient selection, appreciable inducible ischemia, myocardial viability and cost-risk-benefit analysis are met.

Percutaneous coronary intervention improves quality of life of patients with chronic total occlusion and low estimated glomerular filtration rate

Background

A low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m²) is widely recognized as a risk factor for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO). However, the impact of successful CTO-PCI on quality of life (QOL) of patients with low eGFR remains unknown.

Objectives

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the QOL of CTO patients with low eGFR after successful PCI.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing elective CTO-PCI were prospectively enrolled and subdivided into four groups: eGFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 410), 90 > eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 482), 60 > eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 161), and eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² (n = 23). The primary outcomes included QOL, as assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire, and symptoms, as assessed with the Rose Dyspnea Scale (RDS) and Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ), at 1 month and 1 year after successful PCI.

Results

With the decline of eGFR, CTO patients were more likely to present with comorbidities of hypertension, diabetes, hyperuricemia, and previous stroke, in addition to lower hemoglobin levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (p < 0.05). Low eGFR was associated with greater incidences of in-hospital pericardiocentesis, major bleeding, acute renal failure, and subcutaneous hematoma, but not in-hospital MACE (p < 0.05). Symptoms of dyspnea and angina were alleviated in all CTO patients with eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m² at 1 month and 1 year after successful CTO-PCI, but only at 1 month for those with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² (p < 0.01). Importantly, QOL was markedly improved at 1 month and 1 year after successful PCI (p < 0.01), notably at a similar degree between patients with low eGFR and those with normal eGFR (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Successful PCI effectively improved symptoms and QOL of CTO patients with low eGFR.

Benefits of successful percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic total occlusion patients with diabetes

BACKGROUND

Diabetes was commonly seen in chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients but data regarding the impact of successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on clinical outcome of CTO patients with diabetes was controversial. And importantly, no studies have compared quality of life (QOL) after CTO-PCI in patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing elective CTO-PCI were prospectively enrolled from Apr. 2018 to May 2021. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups: Diabetes and No Diabetes. Detailed baseline characteristics, assessment of symptoms and QOL, angiographic and procedural details, in-hospital complications, and 1 month and 1 year follow-up data were collected. These data were analyzed accordingly for risk predictors of clinical outcome in patients who have diabetes and received successful CTO-PCI.

RESULTS

A total of 1076 patients underwent CTO-PCI attempts. Diabetes was present in 374 (34.76%) patients, who had more hypertension, previous PCI and stroke. Regarding the coronary lesions, diabetic patients suffered more LCX lesion, multivessel disease, number of lesions per patient, blunt stump, calcification and higher J-CTO score (p < 0.05). In-hospital major adverse cardiac event (MACE) (4.13% vs. 5.35%; p = 0.362) was similar in the two groups. At 1 month and 1 year follow-up after successful CTO-PCI, the incidence of MACE and all-cause mortality were also similar in the two groups (p > 0.05). Number of lesions per patient was an independent risk factor of MACE and all-cause mortality (p < 0.001) 1 year after successful CTO-PCI. Symptom and QOL were markedly improved regardless of diabetes both at 1 month and 1 year follow-up, and importantly, patients with diabetes showed similar degrees of improvement to those without diabetes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful CTO-PCI could represent an effective strategy improving clinical outcome, symptoms and QOL in CTO patients with diabetes.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Chronic Total Occlusions

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has been traditionally considered a challenging procedure, with a lower success rate and a higher incidence of complications compared to non-CTO-PCI. An accurate and comprehensive evaluation of potential candidates for CTO-PCI is of great importance. Indeed, assessment of myocardial viability, left ventricular function, individual risk profile and coronary lesion complexity as well as detection of inducible ischemia are key information that should be integrated for a shared treatment decision and interventional strategy planning. In this regard, multimodality imaging can provide combined data that can be very useful for the decision-making algorithm and for planning percutaneous CTO recanalization.

Aims

The purpose of this article is to appraise the value and limitations of several non-invasive imaging tools to provide relevant information about the anatomical characteristics and functional impact of CTOs that may be useful for the pre-procedural assessment and follow-up of candidates for CTO-PCI. They include echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), nuclear imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). As an example, CCTA can accurately delineate CTO location and length, distal coronary bed, vessel tortuosity and calcifications that can predict PCI success, whereas stress CMR, nuclear imaging and stress-CT can provide functional evaluation in terms of myocardial ischemia and viability and perfusion defect extension.

Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Prior Coronary Artery Bypass Graft: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), which occurs in 18. 4–52% of all patients referred for coronary angiography, represents one of the last barriers in coronary intervention. Approximately half of all patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), who undergo coronary angiography, are diagnosed with coronary CTO. In fact, these patients often develop recurrent symptoms and events, necessitating revascularization. Currently, there is neither a consensus nor developed guidelines for the treatment of CTO patients with prior CABG, and the prognosis of these patients remains unknown. In this review, we discuss current evidence and future perspectives on CTO revascularization in patients with prior CABG, with special emphasis on clinical and lesion characteristics, procedural success rates, periprocedural complications, and long-term outcomes.

Circulating Chromogranin B Is Associated With Left Ventricular Functional Recovery After Successful Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion

Background: Chromogranin B (CgB) is increased in heart failure and proportionate to disease severity. We investigated whether circulating CgB level is associated with left ventricular (LV) functional recovery potential after successful recanalization of chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Methods: Serum levels of CgB were assayed in 53 patients with stable angina with LV functional recovery [an absolute increase in LV ejection fraction (EF) of ≥5%] and 53 age- and sex-matched non-recovery controls after successful recanalization of CTO during 12-month follow-up.

Results: We found that CgB level was significantly lower in the recovery group than in the non-recovery group (593 [IQR 454–934] vs. 1,108 [IQR 696–2020] pg/ml, P < 0.001), and that it was inversely correlated with changes in LVEF (Spearman's r = −0.31, P = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve of CgB for predicting LVEF improvement was 0.76 (95% CI 0.664–0.856), and that the optimal cutoff value was 972.5 pg/ml. In multivariate analyses, after adjusting for confounding factors, high CgB level remained an independent determinant of impaired LV functional recovery after CTO recanalization. LV functional improvement appeared to be more responsive to CgB in patients with poor than with good coronary collaterals.

Conclusions: Elevated circulating CgB level confers an increased risk of impaired LV functional recovery after successful recanalization of CTO in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Impact of Renal Function on Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: Results From an Observational Single-Center Cohort Study During the Last 12 Years

Background: The number of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients with renal insufficiency is huge, and limited data are available on the impact of renal insufficiency on long-term clinical outcomes in CTO patients. We aimed to investigate clinical outcomes of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs. medical therapy (MT) in CTO patients according to baseline renal function. Methods: In the study population of 2,497, 1,220 patients underwent CTO PCI and 1,277 patients received MT. Patients were divided into four groups based on renal function: group 1 [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m²], group 2 (60 ≤ eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73 m²), group 3 (30 ≤ eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m²), and group 4 (eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m²). Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was the primary end point. Results: Median follow-up was 2.6 years. With the decline in renal function, MACE (p < 0.001) and cardiac death (p < 0.001) were increased. In group 1 and group 2, MACE occurred less frequently in patients with CTO PCI, as compared to patients in the MT group (15.6% vs. 22.8%, p < 0.001; 15.6% vs. 26.5%, p < 0.001; respectively). However, there was no significant difference in terms of MACE between CTO PCI and MT in group 3 (21.1% vs. 28.7%, p = 0.211) and group 4 (28.6% vs. 50.0%, p = 0.289). MACE was significantly reduced for patients who received successful CTO PCI compared to patients with MT (16.7% vs. 22.8%, p = 0.006; 16.3% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.003, respectively) in group 1 and group 2. eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m², age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, multivessel disease, and MT were identified as independent predictors for MACE in patients with CTOs. Conclusions: Renal impairment is associated with MACE in patients with CTOs. For treatment of CTO, compared with MT alone, CTO PCI may reduce the risk of MACE in patients without chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, reduced MACE from CTO PCI among patients with CKD was not observed. Similar beneficial effects were observed in patients without CKD who underwent successful CTO procedures.

Incidence and Predictive Factors of Chronic Vessel Enlargement After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Severely Stenotic and Occluded Lesions

BACKGROUND

Chronic vessel enlargement (CVE) of the coronary artery is observed in patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for severely stenotic or occluded lesions. Recently, the presence of a peri-medial high-echoic band (PHB) identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has been reported to correlate with this phenomenon. We sought to assess the incidence, predictive factors of CVE, and association between CVE and PHB.

METHODS

From January 2017 to December 2018, 97 patients, with 101 severely stenotic and occluded lesions, who underwent IVUS-guided PCI and a 9-month follow-up angiography were enrolled. CVE was defined as more than a 10% increase of distal lumen gain at follow-up angiography. All lesions were stratified into 2 groups: CVE group and non-CVE group. Clinical outcomes were compared and predictive factors for CVE were assessed. Relationships between PHB angle and CVE were also assessed.

RESULTS

At follow-up angiography, CVE was observed in 27 lesions (26.7%, 27/101). PHBs were frequently observed in the CVE group (88.9%), which was significantly higher than that in the non-CVE group (40.5%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of PHB was the only predictive factor for CVE (odds ratio, 11.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.95-43.0; p < 0.001). In addition, a linear relationship was observed between the incidence of CVE and PHB angle. The number of patients with CVE significantly increased in cases with a PHB angle more than 180 degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of PHB strongly predicts CVE after PCI for severely stenotic or occluded lesions.

Over Ten Years' Follow-Up of Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion Angioplasty

OBJECTIVES

It has been reported that successful percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion (CTO-PCI) might be associated with symptom relief, a lower rate of subsequent myocardial infarction and coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and improved long-term survival, compared with unsuccessful PCI for CTO. However, the long-term benefit of percutaneous recanalization of CTO remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term benefit of percutaneous recanalization of CTO.

METHODS

We analyzed consecutive cases of CTO-PCI performed between January 2000 and December 2006. The health status of all patients on September 2017 was obtained via letter or from medical records. We collected relevant patient information as well as angiographic and procedural characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 477 patients (82.8% men, mean age, 65.7 years) underwent CTO-PCI. The procedural was successful in 382 cases (80.3%). Reference vessel diameter, occlusion length and angiographic stump of CTO site were associated with the success of CTO intervention. During the mean follow-up period of 139.8 months, successful CTO-PCI was associated with a higher survival rate when compared with failed CTO-PCI (Log-rank test: P = 0.0147). When categorized by target vessel, successful revascularization of left anterior descending (LAD) -CTO improved long-term survival (Log-rank test: P = 0.0041). On the other hand, successful revascularization of right coronary artery or left circumflex -CTO was not associated with improved long-term survival [Log-rank test: P = 0.5631 (RCA), P = 0.2774 (LCX)].

CONCLUSIONS

Successful CTO-PCI, especially the successful revascularization of LAD-CTO, improved long-term survival of patients.

Differential clinical impact of chronic total occlusion revascularization based on left ventricular systolic function

Background

The effect of chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization on survival remains controversial. Furthermore, data regarding outcome differences for CTO revascularization based on left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) are limited.

The differential outcomes from CTO revascularization in patients with preserved LVSF (PLVSF) versus reduced LVSF (RLVSF) were assessed.

Methods

A total of 2,173 CTO patients were divided into either a PLVSF (n = 1661, Ejection fraction ≥ 50%) or RLVSF (n = 512, < 50%) group. Clinical outcomes were compared between successful CTO revascularization (SCR) versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) within each group. The primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause death or non-fatal myocardial infarction. Inverse probability of treatment weighting for endpoint analysis and a contrast test for comparison of survival probability differences according to LVSF were used.

Results

Patients with RLVSF had a mean 37% ejection fraction (EF) and 19% had EF < 30%. The median follow-up duration was 1,138 days. Regardless of LVSF, the primary endpoint incidence was significantly lower in patients treated with SCR [RLVSF: 29.7% vs. 49.7%, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36–0.62, p < 0.0001; PLVSF 7.3% vs. 16.9%, HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.54–0.93, p = 0.0019], which was mainly driven by a reduction in cardiac death. The difference in survival probability was greater and became more pronounced over time in patients with RLVSF than with PLVSF (1-year, p = 0.197; 3-years, p = 0.048; 5-years, p = 0.036).

Conclusions

SCR was associated with better survival benefit than OMT regardless of LVSF. The benefit was greater and became more significant over time in patients with RLVSF versus PLVSF.

Graphic abstract

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00392-020-01738-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Circulating CD34+VEGFR-2+ endothelial progenitor cells correlate with revascularization-mediated long-term improvement of cardiac function in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions

BACKGROUND

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in angiogenesis and neocollateralization. This study assessed if circulating EPCs can predict long-term improvement of global left ventricular systolic function in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) underwent successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

In this single-center, prospective, observational study, 115 consecutive patients with CTOs were evaluated by standard transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) before and 9-12 months after PCI. Numbers of circulating putative EPCs were determined by flow cytometry analysis of mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood samples drawn before and 72 h after PCI.

RESULTS

At mean 11.3 ± 2.5 months post vs. before PCI (all P < .05): by SAQ-7 summary scores, angina frequency, physical limitation and quality of life scores were greater; by ECHO, LVEDd decreased and LVEF increased, which were more significant in patients with Rentrop grades 2/3 vs. 0/1. At 72 h post vs. before PCI, CD34⁺VEGFR-2⁺CD133^- (0.82 ± 0.32 × 10⁶/L vs. 1.00 ± 0.39 × 10⁶/L, P = .003), CD34⁺VEGFR-2⁺CD133⁺ (0.24 ± 0.12 × 10⁶/L vs. 0.27 ± 0.14 × 10⁶/L, P = .028), and CD14⁺Tie2⁺VEGFR-2⁺ (6.60 ± 3.32 × 10⁶/L vs. 7.82 ± 3.91 × 10⁶/L, P = .006) cell numbers were lower. The baseline levels of CD34⁺VEGFR-2⁺cells (P = .001) and CD14⁺Tie2⁺VEGFR-2⁺cells (P < .001) were association with the grade of collateralization. In addition, the baseline and peri-procedural decrease of circulating CD34⁺VEGFR-2⁺ cells correlated with the increase of LVEF (P < .001, P < .001, respectively) and the decrease of LVEDd (P = .022, P = .029, respectively) at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small study, the baseline levels of circulating CD34⁺VEGFR-2+ EPCs and its reduction after successful revascularization of CTOs correlated with long-term improvement in global LV systolic function.

Long-Term Outcomes of Successful Revascularization for Patients With Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: A Report of 1,655 Patients

Background: To date, the benefit of successful revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) on prognosis remains uncertain, and there is a paucity of data on the impact of successful revascularization for CTO patients on long-term cardiovascular survival. This study aimed to investigate the long-term cardiovascular survival for patients with successful and unsuccessful CTO revascularization in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: There were 1,655 consecutive patients with at least one CTO included and were grouped into successful revascularization (n = 591) and unsuccessful revascularization (n = 1,064). Propensity score matching (PSM) was carried out to balance the clinical and the angiographic characteristics. Cardiac mortality was defined as the primary endpoint. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was assessed as a “secondary endpoint.”

Results: After 3.6 years of follow-up, there was no significant difference between the successful and the unsuccessful revascularization groups in the rate of cardiac mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59–1.58, p = 0.865]. After the PSM analysis (371 pairs) between the two groups, the cardiac mortality rate values (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23–1.15, p = 0.104) were equivalent, whereas the adjusted risk of MACE (HR 0.43, 95% CI 0.32–0.58, p = 0.001) and target-vessel revascularization (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.29–0.58, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with unsuccessful revascularization.

Conclusion: For the treatment of CTO patients, successful revascularization was not associated with a lesser risk for cardiac mortality as compared with unsuccessful revascularization. However, successful revascularization reduced MACE and target-vessel revascularization.

Long-term outcomes of medical therapy versus successful recanalisation for coronary chronic total occlusions in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background

In this study, we compared the outcomes of medical therapy (MT) with successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in chronic total occlusions (CTO) patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A total of 2015 patients with CTOs were stratified. Diabetic patients (n = 755, 37.5%) and non-diabetic patients (n = 1260, 62.5%) were subjected to medical therapy or successful CTO-PCI. We performed a propensity score matching (PSM) to balance the baseline characteristics. A comparison of the major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was done to evaluate long-term outcomes.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 2.6 years. Through multivariate analysis, the incidence of MACE was significantly higher among diabetic patients compared to the non-diabetic patients (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.61, p = 0.005). Among the diabetic group, the rate of MACE (adjusted HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.87, p = 0.006) was significantly lower in the successful CTO-PCI group than in the MT group. Besides, in the non-diabetic group, the prevalence of MACE (adjusted HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.64–1.15, p = 0.294) and cardiac death (adjusted HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.51–1.70, p = 0.825) were comparable between the two groups. Similar results as with the early detection were obtained in propensity-matched diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Notably, there was a significant interaction between diabetic or non-diabetic with the therapeutic strategy on MACE (p for interaction = 0.036).

Conclusions

For treatment of CTO, successful CTO-PCI highly reduces the risk of MACE in diabetic patients when compared with medical therapy. However, this does not apply to non-diabetic patients.

The Role of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in the Treatment of Chronic Total Occlusions: Rationale and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a coronary artery is defined as an occluded segment with no antegrade flow and a known or estimated duration of at least 12 weeks.

OBJECTIVE

We considered the current literature describing the indications and clinical outcomes for denovo CTO- percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and discuss the role of CTO-PCI and future directions for this procedure.

METHODS

Databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched and relevant studies of CTO-PCI were selected for review.

RESULTS

The prevalence of coronary artery CTO's has been reported to be ~ 20% among patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. Revascularization of any CTO can be technically challenging and a time-consuming procedure with relatively low success rates and may be associated with a higher incidence of complications, particularly at non-specialized centers. However, with an increase in experience and technological advances, several centers are now reporting success rates above 80% for these lesions. There is marked variability among studies in reporting outcomes for CTO-PCI with some reporting potential mortality benefit, better quality of life and improved cardiac function parameters. Anecdotally, properly selected patients who undergo a successful CTO-PCI most often have profound relief of ischemic symptoms. Intuitively, it makes sense to revascularize an occluded coronary artery with the goal of improving cardiovascular function and patient quality of life.

CONCLUSION

CTO-PCI is a rapidly expanding specialized procedure in interventional cardiology and is reasonable or indicated if the occluded vessel is responsible for symptoms or in selected patients with silent ischemia in whom there is a large amount of myocardium at risk and PCI is likely to be successful.

Comparison of long-term outcomes of medical therapy and successful recanalisation for coronary chronic total occlusions in elderly patients: a report of 1,294 patients

Background

Little is known about the long-term outcomes of medical therapy (MT) versus successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in elderly patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Methods

There were 1,294 consecutive patients with 1,520 CTOs included (2007 to 2016) and were divided into the younger group (age <65 years; n=664, 51.3%) and the older group (age ≥65 years; n=630, 48.7%). In the older group, 630 patients were divided into MT group (n=421) and successful CTO-PCI group (n=209) according to the initial treatment strategy. In the younger group, they were divided into two groups: 379 patients in the MT group and 285 patients in the successful CTO-PCI group. We performed propensity score matching to minimize any selection bias. The primary end point was cardiac mortality. The secondary end point was major adverse cardiac event (MACE).

Results

After 3.6 (IQR, 2.1-5.0) years follow-up, no significant difference was observed between the MT and successful CTO-PCI groups in terms of cardiac mortality (MT vs. successful CTO-PCI: 9.3% vs. 5.0%, P=0.378) and MACE (28.3% vs. 15.1%, P=0.070) in the older group. After propensity score matching analysis (120 pairs), the risk of cardiac mortality (6.7% vs. 8.3%, P=0.624) was found to be comparable between the two groups. In the younger group, the occurrence of cardiac death (MT vs. successful CTO-PCI: 3.7% vs. 1.4%, P=0.072) was similar, whereas the MACE rate (27.7% vs. 17.9%, P=0.003) was significantly higher in MT group. After multivariate analysis, previous myocardial infarction (MI) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-2.49, P=0.006], CTO in right coronary artery (HR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.07-2.25, P=0.020), multivessel disease (HR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.10-3.72, P=0.024) and calcification (HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.07-2.42, P=0.023) were independent predictors of MACE in elderly.

Conclusions

In the treatment of elderly patients with CTOs, successful CTO-PCI compared with MT alone didn't reduce the risk of cardiac death or MACE.

Health Status Benefits of Successful Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization Across the Spectrum of Left Ventricular Function: Insights From the OPEN-CTO Registry

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to describe the association between chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization (CTO percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI]) and health status in patients with and without cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND

Prior PCI trials for cardiomyopathy have excluded CTO patients. Whether patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) receive similar health status benefit from CTO-PCI compared with patients with normal LVEF is unclear.

METHODS

We assessed health status change, using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) Summary, SAQ Angina Frequency, and Rose Dyspnea Scale scores, among patients undergoing successful CTO PCI in the OPEN-CTO (Outcomes, Patient Health Status, and Efficiency in Chronic Total Occlusion) Registry. Participants were classified by LVEF (normal, ≥50%; mild-moderate, 30% to 49%; and severe, <30%), with higher SAQ and lower Rose Dyspnea Scale scores indicating better health status. Differences in 1-year outcomes were compared using hierarchical multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Of 762 patients, 506 (66.4%), 193 (25.3%), and 63 (8.3%) had normal, mild-moderate, and severely reduced LVEF. SAQ Summary score improvements were observed in each group (27.1 ± 20.4, 26.7 ± 21.2, and 20.3 ± 18.1, respectively). Compared with patients with LVEF ≥50%, those with LVEF <30% had less improvement in SAQ Summary Score (-5.2 points; 95% confidence interval: -9.0 to -1.5; p = 0.01) and Rose Dyspnea Scale (+0.5 points; 95% confidence interval: 0.1 to 0.8; p = 0.01), with no difference in odds of angina (odds ratio: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 0.6 to 3.0; p = 0.48). Health status improvement was similar between patients with LVEF ≥50% and LVEF 30% to 49%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although health status improvement was less in patients with severely reduced LVEF compared with those with normal LVEF, each group experienced large health status improvements after CTO-PCI.

Gender Differences in Long-Term Outcomes of Medical Therapy and Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions

Background

There is a paucity of information about the gender differences in clinical outcomes of successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with medical therapy (MT) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the impact of gender on long-term clinical outcomes associated with successful CTO-PCI versus MT in patients with CTOs.

Methods

Between January 2007 and December 2016, a total of 1702 patients with ≥1 CTO were enrolled. After exclusion, 1294 patients with 1520 CTOs were analyzed and were divided into the female group (n = 304, 23.5%) and the male group (n = 990, 76.5%). The patients in the female or male group were assigned to a MT group or successful CTO-PCI group according to the treatment strategy. In the female group, they were divided into two groups: 177 patients in the MT group and 127 patients in the successful CTO-PCI group. In the male group, they were divided into two groups: 623 patients in the MT group and 367 patients in the successful CTO-PCI group. The primary outcome was cardiac death. The secondary outcome was major adverse cardiac event (MACE).

Results

The median overall follow-up duration was 3.6 (IQR, 2.1–5.0) years, there were no significant differences between the MT and successful CTO-PCI groups with respect to the prevalence of cardiac death (MT vs. successful PCI: 6.8% vs. 3.9%, p=0.287) and MACE (20.9% vs. 21.3%, p=0.810) in female patients. In the male group, the occurrence of cardiac death (MT vs. successful PCI: 6.6% vs. 3.8%, p=0.066) was similar between the two groups. The MACE rate (30.0% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the MT group. Heart failure (hazard ratio 3.40, 95% confidence interval 1.23–9.40, p=0.018) was an independent predictor of cardiac death in female patients.

Conclusions

Successful CTO-PCI was not associated with reduced risk of cardiac death compared with medical therapy alone in both female and male patients. However, men have a significant reduction in MACE rate after successful CTO-PCI. Aggressive CTO-PCI should be considered carefully among female patients.

Successful recanalisation of coronary chronic total occlusions is not associated with improved cardiovascular survival compared with initial medical therapy

Objective. To compare the clinical outcomes associated with successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus initial medical therapy (MT) in patients with coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Methods. Between January 2007 and December 2016, a total of 1702 patients with ≥1 CTO were enrolled. Patients who had a failed CTO-PCI were excluded. After exclusion, 1294 patients with 1520 CTOs were divided into the MT group initially (did not undergo a CTO-PCI attempt) (n = 800) and successful PCI group (n = 494). Propensity-score matching was also performed to adjust for baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was cardiac death. Results. The median overall follow-up duration was 3.6 (IQR, 2.1-5.0) years, there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the prevalence of cardiac death (MT vs. successful PCI: 6.6 vs. 3.8%, adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-2.14, p = .867). In the propensity-matched population (286 pairs), there were no significant differences in the prevalence of cardiac death (MT vs. successful PCI: 5.9% vs. 3.1%, HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23-1.15, p = .104) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.53-1.09, p = .130) between the two groups. Conclusion. In the treatment of patients with CTOs, successful PCI is not associated with improved long-term cardiovascular survival or reduced the risk of MACE compared with MT alone initially.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Optimal Medical Therapy for Chronic Total Occlusion: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The optimal treatment strategy for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) has not been well established. The benefit of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was inferred mainly from observational studies comparing successful versus failed PCI without a control group receiving optimal medical therapy (OMT). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing PCI using drug-eluting stent (DES) versus OMT alone in patients with CTO. Eight studies were identified: 3 RCTs and 5 observational studies. Among a total of 4784 included patients, 2461 patients underwent PCI and 2323 patients received OMT. There was a significant association between PCI and lower cardiac mortality (odds ratio = 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.93; P = .02). There was no significant difference between PCI and OMT regarding major adverse cardiac events, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), repeat revascularization, or stroke. In the RCT subset (1399 patients), there was no significant difference between PCI and OMT regarding clinical outcomes. Compared with OMT alone, PCI with DES for CTO was associated with lower cardiac mortality, mainly driven by observational studies, without significant difference in recurrent MI or repeated revascularization. Further RCTs are needed to investigate the role of PCI for management of patients with CTO.

Is sex associated with adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO?

BACKGROUND

Conflicting results have been reported regarding sex differences in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but their potential influence on clinical outcomes after chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) PCI remains unknown. We aimed to identify sex-related differences in long-term clinical outcomes after CTO PCI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

All consecutive patients undergoing CTO PCI between 2004 and 2012 were included in a prospective registry. Baseline, procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared according to sex. Out of 1343 patients, 194 were female (14.4%). Women were older (68.5 ± 9.9 vs 62.3 ± 10.8 years, p < 0.001), more frequently diabetic (33.5% vs 26.4%, p = 0.026) and hypertensive (70.1% vs 57.4%, p < 0,001), whereas males were more frequently smokers (28.5% vs 15.5%, p < 0.001). J-CTO score was similar between both sexes (1.59 ± 0.91 vs 1.51 ± 0.88). The procedural success rate was also similar in men and women (74.0% vs 77.3%, respectively). At 8 years' follow-up, successful CTO PCI was associated with reduced mortality in women (14.8% vs 36.2%, p = 0.003) and men (18.5% vs 29.1%, p < 0.001). In successful CTO PCI cases, no sex-related differences were observed in terms of major adverse cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests an equal benefit of CTO interventions with a marked reduction in mortality after successful CTO PCI in women and men alike.

Contemporary Approach to Chronic Total Occlusion Interventions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) poses one of the greatest technical challenges to interventional cardiologists. Despite recent advancements in techniques and clinical trials showing significant benefits of CTO percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), the proportion of patients with untreated CTOs remains high. We therefore aim to perform a comprehensive review of the various techniques available, recent advancements, benefits, and complications associated with CTO PCI.

RECENT FINDINGS

Three randomized clinical trials examining the benefits of CTO PCI have recently been presented. Scoring systems have been developed to facilitate pre-procedural estimation of success and complications of CTO PCI. Technological enhancements in coronary wires and other interventional equipment along with dedicated training for CTO operators have improved the likelihood of successful recanalization of CTOs. CTO PCI has been shown to improve patient symptoms and quality of life. It is therefore important to have an in-depth knowledge of the various CTO techniques, appropriate equipment, and complications when performing these complex procedures. Clinicians should weigh the risks and benefits and choose the appropriate patient population who may benefit from revascularization.

Comparison of Benefit of Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion in Patients With Versus Without Reduced (≤40%) Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Successful recanalization of chronic total occlusions (CTO) has been associated with improved survival. Data on outcomes in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO, however, are scarce. Between January 2005 and December 2013, a total of 2,002 consecutive patients undergoing elective CTO percutaneous coronary intervention at a tertiary care center were divided into patients with (LV ejection fraction ≤ 40%) and without (LV ejection fraction > 40%) LV systolic dysfunction as defined by transthoracic echocardiography. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Median follow-up was 2.6 (1.1 to 3.1) years. A total of 348 (17.4%) patients had LV dysfunction. All-cause mortality was higher in patients with LV dysfunction (30.2%) than in those with normal LV function (8.2%, p <0.001), and associations remained significant after adjustment for baseline differences (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 3.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57 to 4.47, p <0.001). Successful CTO recanalization was independently associated with reduced all-cause mortality, with similar relative risk reductions in both the preserved (6.6% vs 16.9%, adjusted HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.70, p <0.001) and the reduced LV function groups (26.2% vs 45.2%, adjusted HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.98, p = 0.04, interaction p = 0.28). In conclusion, irrespective of LV function, successful CTO recanalization is associated with a clear survival benefit.

Effect of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND

There are little published data reporting the effect of coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on the prognosis of elderly patients with identified CTOs. We sought to evaluate the clinical effect of CTO PCI on the prognosis of elderly patients with CTOs.

METHODS

A total of 445 consecutive patients diagnosed with a CTO by angiography from January 2011 to December 2013 were enrolled. We compared long-term clinical outcomes between the elderly group (≥75 years; n = 120, 27.0%), and the nonelderly group (<75 years; n = 325, 73.0%) as well as between patients with unopened CTOs and patients with CTOs who were recanalized by PCI either during the index hospitalization or at a staged procedure within 30 days after discharge from the index hospitalization. The primary endpoint was defined as the composite of hospitalization from angina, reinfarction, heart failure or repeat revascularization and cardiac death at the 3-year follow-up.

RESULTS

More elderly CTO patients had left main (LM) disease (25.0 versus 15.1%, P = 0.015), 3-vessel disease (96.4% versus 73.8%, P < 0.001) and a Japan-CTO score ≥2 (36.7% versus 23.7%, P = 0.006) than nonelderly CTO patients. Furthermore, elderly patients had a higher syntax score than nonelderly patients (27.0 [25.0, 30.0] versus 26.0 [23.0, 30.0], P = 0.006). PCI was attempted for 33 out of 135 CTO lesions (24.4%) in the elderly group, and 127 out of 378 lesions (33.6%) in the nonelderly group (P = 0.049); however, there were no statistically significant differences in the CTO PCI success rates between the 2 groups (69.7% versus 82.7%, P = 0.097). The 3-year cardiac mortality rate was 15.0% and 4.6% (P < 0.011) for the elderly and nonelderly groups, respectively. Elderly patients with CTOs who were recanalized by PCI and those with unopened CTOs exhibited comparable 3-year cardiac mortality rates (15.0% versus 16.0%, P = 1.000). There was no significant difference in primary endpoint incidence (25.0% versus 33.0%, P = 0.486). Multivariate analysis revealed that after corrections for baseline and procedural differences, right coronary artery CTO (odds ratio = 4.600, 95% CI: 1.320-16.031; P = 0.017) and LM disease combined with 3-vessel disease (odds ratio = 4.296, 95% CI: 1.166-15.831; P = 0.028) were independent predictors of 3-year cardiac mortality among elderly patients with CTOs.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients with CTOs presented with seriously diseased coronary arteries and poor prognoses. CTO PCI did not seem to significantly improve long-term clinical outcomes among elderly patients with CTOs. Right coronary artery CTO and LM disease combined with 3-vessel disease might be independent predictors of 3-year cardiac mortality in elderly CTO patients.

Impact of target vessel on long-term cardiac mortality after successful chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from a Japanese multicenter registry

BACKGROUND

The impact of successful chronic total occlusion (S-CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on cardiac mortality may differ depending on target CTO vessel; however, to date this has not yet been adequately evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of target vessel on cardiac mortality after S-CTO PCI.

METHODS

From January 2004 to December 2011, 1517 CTO PCIs were performed in 4 Japanese centers and enrolled in a multicenter registry. Cases were retrospectively analyzed and divided per target vessel treated. The primary endpoint was cardiac mortality during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1424 CTOs with 1 main vessel CTO per patient were analyzed (left anterior descending artery [LAD]: 487, right coronary artery [RCA]: 599, left circumflex [LCx]: 338). 92.3% (n=1314) of cases were S-CTO PCIs. The median follow-up period was 1677 (interquartile range; 811-2463) days. In LAD and RCA CTOs, S-CTO PCI was associated with a lower cardiac mortality rate at 5-year follow-up when compared with unsuccessful CTO (U-CTO) (2.6% vs 9.7%, p=0.01, 2.6% vs 27.3%, p<0.01, respectively). This finding was not present with LCx CTO PCI (2.2% vs 0.0%, p=0.53). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that LAD and RCA S-CTO PCI were independent predictors of a lower cardiac mortality rate (LAD; HR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06-0.56; p<0.01; RCA; HR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09-0.65; p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

S-CTO LAD and RCA PCI were associated with a lower long-term cardiac mortality after CTO PCI. This finding was not observed with LCx CTO PCI.

Everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for treatment of complex chronic total occlusions

AIMS

Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) represent a novel therapeutic option for the treatment of coronary artery diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of BVS implantation in complex chronic total occlusions (CTO).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present report is a multicentre registry evaluating results after BVS deployment in challenging CTO lesions, defined as J-CTO score ≥2 (difficult or very difficult). A total of 105 patients were included in the present analysis. The mean J-CTO score was 2.61 (difficult 52.4%, very difficult 47.6%). Device success and procedural success rates were 98.1% and 97.1%, respectively. The retrograde approach was used in 25.7% of cases. After wire crossing, predilatation was performed in all cases with a mean predilatation balloon diameter of 2.73±0.43 mm. The mean scaffold length was 59.75±25.85 mm, with post-dilatation performed in 89.5% of the cases and a mean post-dilatation balloon diameter of 3.35±0.44 mm. Post-PCI minimal lumen diameter was 2.50±0.51 mm and percentage diameter stenosis 14.53±10.31%. At six-month follow-up, a total of three events were reported: one periprocedural myocardial infarction, one late scaffold thrombosis and one additional target lesion revascularisation.

CONCLUSIONS

The present report suggests the feasibility of BVS implantation in complex CTO lesions, given adequate lesion preparation and post-dilatation, with good acute angiographic results and midterm clinical outcomes.

Gender-based acute outcome in percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total coronary occlusion

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of total chronic coronary occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge. Insignificant data are reported in the literature about gender differences in CTO-PCI in the era of new drug-eluting stents. In this study we analysed the impact of gender on procedural characteristics, complications and acute results.

Methods

Between 2010–2015 we included 780 consecutive patients. They underwent PCI for at least one CTO. Antegrade and retrograde CTO techniques were applied.

Results

Patients undergoing CTO-PCI were mainly men (84%). Male patients were younger (66.9 years ±10.6 vs. 61.1 years ±10.4; p < 0.001), more often smokers, but less frequently had a history of coronary artery disease (24.4% vs. 32.7%; p = 0.085) compared with female patients. Female patients more often had diabetes mellitus (29.6% vs. 26.7%; p = 0.55) and hypertension (82.7% vs. 80.7%; p = 0.55). There were no differences with respect to the amount of contrast fluid, fluoroscopy time and examination time as well as to the length of the stent or the number of the stents. The stent diameter was slightly smaller in women, which was not surprising because the lumen calibre tends to be smaller in women than in men (3.0 mm (2.5–3) vs. 3.0 mm (3–3.5); p < 0.001). The success rates were 81.0% in women and 80.1% in men. There was no significant interaction between gender and procedural success and complication rates.

Conclusions

Our retrospective study suggests that women and men have a comparable success rate at a low complication rate after recanalisation of CTO.

Retrograde Approach is as Effective and Safe as Antegrade Approach in Contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion: A Taiwan Single-Center Registry Study

BACKGROUND

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO), most experts regard the antegrade approach as the default initial strategy, reserving the retrograde approach for reattempts following antegrade failure. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between the antegrade and retrograde approaches in CTO PCI.

RESULTS

Between 2012 and 2013, patients that underwent 321 consecutive attempts by high-volume operators (> 75 total CTO PCI cases during the period) in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital were enrolled. The antegrade approach was used in 152 patients, and retrograde in 169 patients. The duration of occlusion was significantly longer and the J-CTO score higher in the retrograde group. Technical success was achieved in 148 patients of the antegrade group (97.4%), and 163 patients in the retrograde group (96.4%) (p = 0.75). A major procedural complication occurred in 3 patients of the antegrade group (2.0%) and in 6 patients of the retrograde group (3.6%) (p = 0.51). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates (antegrade 0.7%, n = 152; retrograde 0.6%, n = 169) were comparable. The procedure and fluoroscopy times were significantly longer, with more radiation exposure and contrast medium consumption, in the retrograde group. In the retrograde group, similar success, procedural complication and in-hospital MACE rates were achieved in the 3 collateral subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected cases and with highly experienced operators, retrograde approach in CTO PCI is as effective and safe as antegrade approach at the expense of longer procedure time, more radiation exposure and contrast medium consumption. For retrograde approach, either septal, epicardial or AV groove collaterals can be used with similarly success, complication and in-hospital MACE rates.

Benefits of chronic total coronary occlusion percutaneous intervention in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: insights from a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

BACKGROUND

Chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO-PCI) can improve angina and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). These benefits were not assessed in populations with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We studied the effect of CTO-PCI on left ventricular function and clinical parameters in patients with HFrEF.

METHODS

Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), we studied 29 patients with HFrEF and evidence of viability and/or ischemia in the territory supplied by a CTO who were successfully treated with CTO-PCI. In patients with multi-vessel disease, non-CTO PCI was also performed. Imaging parameters, clinical status, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were evaluated before and 6 months after CTO-PCI.

RESULTS

A decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume (160 ± 54 ml vs. 143 ± 58 ml; p = 0.029) and an increase in LVEF (31.3 ± 7.4 % vs. 37.7 ± 8 %; p < 0.001) were observed. There were no differences in LVEF improvement between patients who underwent non-CTO PCI (n = 11) and those without this intervention (n = 18); (p = 0.73). The number of segments showing perfusion defects was significantly reduced (0.5 ± 1 vs. 0.2 ± 0.5; p = 0.043). Angina (p = 0.002) and NYHA functional class (p = 0.004) improved, and BNP levels decreased (p = 0.004) after CTO-PCI.

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of patients with HFrEF showing CMR evidence of viability and/or ischemia within the territory supplied by the CTO, an improvement in ejection fraction, left ventricular end-systolic volume and ischemia burden was observed after CTO-PCI. Clinical and laboratory parameters also improved.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02570087 . Registered 6 October 2015.

Determinants of Left Ventricular Systolic Function Improvement Following Coronary Artery Revascularization in Heart Failure Patients With Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)

Revascularization therapy such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) should be considered for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, revascularization therapy does not always improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of LVEF improvement following revascularization in HFrEF patients. From 2,229 consecutive decompensated heart failure patients, a total of 47 HFrEF patients who underwent revascularization were included in the analysis. Improvement of LVEF was defined as [(LVEF during chronic phase) - (LVEF during acute phase)] ≥ 10%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to investigate the determinants of LVEF improvement. The prevalence of revascularization by PCIs including chronic total occlusion (CTO) was significantly greater in the improved EF group (45.0%) as compared to the non-improved EF group (11.1%) (P = 0.02). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that revascularization by PCIs including CTO was the significant determinant of the LVEF improvement after adjusting for confounding factors (OR 5.43, 95% CI 1.06-27.74, P = 0.04). Optimal medical therapy (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and/or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and beta-blockers) was less frequently prescribed in patients with CABG (50.0% for ACE inhibitor and/or ARB and 41.7% for beta-blocker) than in patients without CABG (94.3% for both) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, revascularization by PCIs including CTO was the significant determinant of LVEF improvement in HFrEF patients. Our results underscore the importance of optimal medical therapy even if patients receive complete revascularization such as CABG.

Chronic total coronary occlusion recanalization: Current techniques and new devices

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of total chronic coronary occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge. The prevalence of a CTO has been reported to be up to 30% among patients with a clinical indication for coronary angiography. Progress has been made with further advanced interventional techniques and continuously sophisticated interventional tools. Nevertheless the number of interventions carried out to recanalize a CTO is less than 10% of all procedures. Benefits of a successful CTO recanalization include relief of angina pectoris and ischemia-related dyspnea, substantial improvement in left ventricular function and, avoidance of surgery treatment. A vast variety of new CTO PCI techniques and materials has been introduced into clinical practise and pushed success rates of reopening a CTO up to around 90% in experienced hands. Particulary the introduction of the retrograde technique was a milestone. New developed microcatheters and special polymer coated wires allow to recanalize via small collaterals and vessels. Other tools such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and multislice computertomography (MSCT) help to identify the anatomy and the characteristic of the lesions. Any invasive cardiac center should adopt CTO PCI procedures as standard therapy.

Objective

This review wants to assess and describe the latest development in CTO recanalization strategies.

CMR Guidance for Recanalization of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion

OBJECTIVES

This study explored whether cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) could help select patients who could benefit from revascularization by identifying inducible myocardial ischemia and viability in the perfusion territory of the artery with chronic total occlusion (CTO).

BACKGROUND

The benefit of revascularization using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in CTO is controversial. CMR offers incomparable left ventricular (LV) systolic function assessment in addition to potent ischemic burden quantification and reliable myocardial viability analysis. Whether CMR guided CTO revascularization would be helpful to such patients has not yet been explored fully.

METHODS

A prospective study of 50 consecutive CTO patients was conducted. Of 50 patients undergoing baseline stress CMR, 32 (64%) were selected for recanalization based on the presence of significant inducible perfusion deficit and myocardial viability within the CTO arterial territory. Patients were rescanned 3 months after successful CTO recanalization.

RESULTS

At baseline, myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) in the CTO territory was significantly reduced compared with the remote region (1.8 ± 0.72 vs. 2.2 ± 0.7; p = 0.01). MPR in the CTO region improved significantly after PCI (to 2.3 ± 0.9; p = 0.02 vs. baseline) with complete or near-complete resolution of CTO related perfusion defect in 90% of patients. Remote territory MPR was unchanged after PCI (2.5 ± 1.2; p = NS vs. baseline). The LV ejection fraction increased from 63 ± 13% to 67 ± 12% (p < 0.0001) and end-systolic volume decreased from 65 ± 38 to 56 ± 38 ml (p < 0.001) 3 months after CTO PCI. Importantly, despite minimal post-procedural infarction due to distal embolization and side branch occlusion in 8 of 32 patients (25%), the total Seattle Angina Questionnaire score improved from a median of 54 (range 45 to 74) at baseline to 89 (range 77 to 98) after CTO recanalization (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this small group of patients showing CMR evidence of significant myocardial inducible perfusion defect and viability, CTO recanalization reduces ischemic burden, favors reverse remodeling, and ameliorates quality of life.

Update on Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly evolved during recent years. High success rates are being achieved by experienced centers and operators, but not at less-experienced centers. Use of CTO crossing algorithms can help improve the success and efficiency of these potentially lengthy procedures. There is a paucity of clinical trial data examining clinical outcomes of CTO PCI, which is critical for further adoption and refinement of the procedure. We provide a detailed overview of the clinical evidence and current available crossing strategies, with emphasis on recent developments and techniques.

Theory and practical based approach to chronic total occlusions

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). During the last years, dedicated groups of experts in Japan, Europe and United States fostered the development and standardization of modern CTO recanalization techniques, achieving success rates far beyond 90%, while coping with lesions of increasing complexity. Numerous studies support the rationale of CTO revascularization following documentation of viability and ischemia in the territory distal to the CTO. Successful CTO PCI provide better tolerance in case of future acute coronary syndromes and can significantly improve angina and left ventricular function. Randomized trials are on the way to further explore the prognostic benefit of CTO revascularization. The following review reports on the theory and the most recent advances in the field of CTO recanalization, in an attempt to promote a more balanced approach in patients with chronically occluded coronary arteries.