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The comparative efficacy and safety of parallel wiring versus antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is controversial.We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and outcomes of parallel wiring versus ADR after failed antegrade wiring in a large, multicenter CTO PCI registry.A total of 1725 CTO PCI procedures with failed antegrade wiring with a single wire were approached with parallel wiring (692) or ADR (1033) at the discretion of the operator. ADR patients were older (65 ± 10 vs. 62 ± 10, years, p lt; 0.001) and had higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as diabetes mellitus (43% vs. 32%, p lt; 0.001), prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (31% vs. 19%, p lt; 0.001), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (50 ± 14 vs. 53 ± 11%, p lt; 0.001). The ADR group had higher J-CTO (2.8 ± 1.1 vs. 2.1 ± 1.3, p lt; 0.001) and PROGRESS-CTO (1.6 ± 1.1 vs. 1.2 ± 1.0, p lt; 0.001) scores. Equipment use including guidewires, balloons, and microcatheters was higher, and the procedures lasted longer in the ADR group. Technical success (78% vs. 75%, p = 0.046) and major adverse cardiovascular events (composite of all-cause mortality, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, emergency surgery or re-PCI, and pericardiocentesis) (3.7% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.029) were higher in the ADR group, with similar procedural success (75% vs. 73%, p = 0.166).In lesions that could not be crossed with antegrade wiring, ADR was associated with higher technical but not procedural success, and also higher MACE compared with parallel wiring.

The hybrid algorithm was designed to assist with initial and subsequent crossing strategy selection in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). However, the success of the initially selected strategy has received limited study.We examined the impact of adherence to the hybrid algorithm recommendation for initial CTO crossing technique selection in 4178 CTO PCIs from a large multicenter registry.The initial crossing strategy was concordant with the hybrid algorithm recommendation in 1833 interventions (44%). Patients in the concordant group had a similar age to those in the discordant group but a lower mean J-CTO score (2.0 ± 1.4 vs 2.8 ± 1.1; P .01). The concordant group showed higher technical success with the first crossing strategy (68% vs 48%; P .01) and higher overall technical success (88% vs 83%; P .01) with no difference in the incidence of in-hospital major adverse events (1.8% vs 2.3%; P = .26). In multivariable analysis, after adjustment for age, prior myocardial infarction, prior PCI, prior coronary artery bypass grafting, J-CTO score, and scheduled CTO PCI, nonadherence to the hybrid algorithm was independently associated with lower technical success of the initial crossing strategy (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.64; P .01).Adherence to the hybrid algorithm for initial crossing strategy selection is associated with higher CTO PCI success but similar in-hospital major adverse cardiac events.

Use of radial access for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been increasing. We examined the clinical characteristics and procedural outcomes of patients who underwent CTO PCI with radial versus femoral access in the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of CTO Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO, NCT02061436). Of 10,954 patients who underwent CTO PCI at 55 centers in 7 countries between 2012 and 2022, 2578 (24%) had a radial only approach. Patients who underwent radial only access were younger (63 ± 10 vs. 65 ± 10, years, p amp;lt; 0.001), more likely to be men (84% vs. 81%, p = 0.001), and had significantly lower prevalence of comorbidities compared with the femoral access group including diabetes mellitus (39% vs. 45%, p amp;lt; 0.001) and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (57% vs. 64%, p amp;lt; 0.001). In addition, radial only cases had lower angiographic complexity with lower J-CTO and PROGRESS-CTO scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, radial only access was associated with lower risk of access site complications (odds ratio [OR]: 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22-0.91), similar technical success (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.74-1.04) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.40-1.07), compared with the femoral access group. Radial only access was used in 24% of CTO PCIs and was associated with lower access site complications, and similar technical success and MACE as compared with the femoral access group.

Objectives We conducted a review and meta-analysis of published data to compare revascularization to deferral strategy for coronary lesions with grey zone fractional flow reserve (FFR). Background Optimal treatment for coronary stenoses with FFR values between 0.75 and 0.80, the so-called grey zone, remains a matter of debate. Methods We included all studies evaluating revascularization versus deferral for lesions with grey zone FFR. The primary outcome was study-defined major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Secondary outcomes were the composite of death or MI and target vessel revascularization (TVR). A total of 2362 patients were included, of whom 1181 underwent revascularization (revascularization group) and 1181 received medical treatment only (deferral group). Results After a mean follow-up period of 2.4 years, no difference was found for the primary outcome of the study-defined MACE between the two groups [RR = 1.33 (0.73–2.44), p = 0.35]. In addition, there was no difference for the secondary outcomes of death or MI and TVR between the two groups [RR = 1.39 (0.56–3.47), p = 0.48 and RR = 1.49 (0.89–2.51), p = 0.13, respectively]. Conclusions In this meta-analysis revascularization of coronary stenoses with grey zone FFR showed no advantage over a deferral strategy in terms of study-defined MACE. Case by case judgment should be implemented to guide treatment in this special subset of patients.

The aim of this study was to examine the use of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) for retrograde crossing during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).The use of SVGs for retrograde crossing during CTO PCI has received limited study.A total of 1,615 retrograde CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2019 at 25 centers were examined. Clinical, angiographic, and technical characteristics and procedural outcomes were compared among retrograde cases via SVGs (SVG group) versus other collateral vessels (non-SVG group).Retrograde CTO PCI via SVGs was performed in 189 cases (12%). Patients in the SVG group were older (mean age 70 ± 9 years vs. 64 ± 10 years; p 0.01) and had higher rates of prior myocardial infarction (62% vs. 51%; p 0.01) and prior PCI (81% vs. 70%; p 0.01). They were more likely to have moderate or severe calcification (81% vs. 65%; p 0.01) and moderate or severe tortuosity (53% vs. 44%; p = 0.02) and had similar J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) scores (3.2 ± 1.0 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1; p = 0.13) but higher PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) scores (4.7 ± 1.7 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1; p 0.01). Technical (85% vs. 78%; p = 0.04) and procedural (81% vs. 74%; p = 0.04) success rates were higher in the SVG group, with no difference in in-hospital major adverse events (6.4% vs. 4.4%; p = 0.22). Contrast volume was lower in the SVG group (225 ml [173 to 325 ml] vs. 292 ml [202 to 400 ml]; p 0.01).Use of SVGs for retrograde crossing is associated with higher rates of technical and procedural success and similar rates of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events compared with retrograde CTO PCI via other collateral vessels.

BACKGROUND There are limited data on the limited antegrade subintimal tracking (LAST) technique for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of use and outcomes of the LAST technique for CTO PCI.METHODS We analyzed 2,177 CTO PCIs performed using antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) in the PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) registry between 2012 and January 2022 at 39 centers. ADR was attempted in 1,465 cases (67.3%).RESULTS Among antegrade re-entry cases, LAST was used in 163 (11.1%) (primary LAST in 127 [8.7%] and secondary LAST [LAST after other ADR approaches failed] in 36 [2.5%]), the Stingray system (Boston Scientific) in 980 (66.9%), subintimal tracking and re-entry in 387 (26.4%), and contrast-guided subintimal tracking and re-entry in 29 (2.0%). The mean patient age was 65.2 similar to 10 years, and 85.8% were men. There was no significant difference in technical (71.8% vs 77.8%; P 1/4 0.080) and procedural (69.9% vs 75.3%; P 1/4 0.127) success and major cardiac adverse events (1.84% vs 3.53%; P 1/4 0.254) between LAST and non-LAST cases. However, on multivariable analysis, the use of LAST was associated with lower procedural success (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41-0.91). Primary LAST was associated with higher technical (76.4% vs 55.6%; P 1/4 0.014) and procedural (75.6% vs 50.0%; P 1/4 0.003) success and similar major adverse cardiac event (1.57% vs 2.78%; P 1/4 0.636) rates compared with secondary LAST.CONCLUSIONS LAST was used in 11.1% of antegrade re-entry CTO PCI cases and was associated with lower procedural success on multivariable analysis, suggesting a limited role of LAST in contemporary CTO PCI. (J Am Coll Cardiol Intv 2022;15:2284-2293) (c) 2022 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation.

We sought to examine the procedural and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).We assessed the clinical and procedural characteristics, technical success, procedural success, and in-hospital outcomes of 2314 patients who underwent CTO-PCI at 20 experienced centers between 2012 and 2017, classified according to whether or not they presented with AMI.Mean patient age was 65 ± 10 years, 85% were men, and 154 (6.7%) presented with AMI (5.5% with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, 1.1% with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). Compared with non-AMI patients who underwent CTO-PCI, AMI patients had higher prevalence of diabetes (56% vs 42%; P.01) and lower median left ventricular ejection fraction (48% vs 54%; P.001). The CTO angiographic characteristics were similar between the 2 groups. Compared with non-AMI patients undergoing CTO-PCI, AMI patients had more frequent use of antegrade wire escalation (86.0% vs 78.9%; P=.03) and more frequent use of hemodynamic support devices (16.2% vs 3.4%; P.01), and were more likely to have a non-CTO lesion treated (34.0% vs 26.6%; P=.03). AMI and non-AMI patients had similar technical success (90% vs 87%; P=.26), procedural success (88% vs 85%; P=.38), and incidence of in-hospital MACE (2.6% vs 2.5%; P=.94).CTO-PCI is performed infrequently in AMI patients and is associated with similar technical and procedural success rates and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular event rates when compared with CTO-PCI performed in non-AMI patients.

The outcomes of distal radial access (dRA) in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO-PCI) have received limited study.We compared the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics of 120 CTO-PCIs performed via dRA access with 2625 CTO-PCIs performed via proximal radial access (pRA) in a large, multicenter registry.The dRA group had lower mean PROGRESS-CTO score than the pRA group (1.0 ± 1 vs 1.2 ± 1, respectively; P=.05), while J-CTO score (2.4 ± 1.2 vs 2.3 ± 1.3; P=.43) and PROGRESS-CTO Complications score (2.8 ± 1.8 vs 2.6 ± 1.9; P=.16) were similar in the dRA vs pRA groups, respectively. Technical success was similar in the 2 groups (90% dRA vs 86% pRA; P=.14). Concomitant use of femoral access did not alter procedural success. The incidence of major periprocedural adverse cardiac events was similar in the 2 groups (0.8% dRA vs 2.4% pRA; P=.26), whereas the incidence of tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis was lower with dRA (0% dRA vs 4.69% pRA; P.001), as was air kerma radiation dose (median, 1.7 Gy; interquartile range [IQR], 0.97-2.63 Gy in the dRA group vs median, 2.27 Gy; IQR, 1.2-3.9 Gy in the pRA group; P.001).Use of dRA in CTO-PCI is associated with similar procedural success and risk of complications as compared with pRA.

There is limited data on the use of atherectomy during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of CTO PCIs performed with or without atherectomy in a contemporary multicenter CTO PCI registry. Between 2012 and 2018, 3,607 CTO PCIs were performed at 21 participating centers. Atherectomy was used in 117 (3.2%) cases: rotational atherectomy in 105 cases, orbital atherectomy in 8, and both in 4 cases. Patients in whom atherectomy was used, were older (68 ± 8 vs 64 ± 10 years, p0.0001) and had higher Japan-chronic total occlusion score (3.0 ± 1.2 vs 2.4 ± 1.3, p0.0001). CTO PCI cases in which atherectomy was used had similar technical (91% vs 87%, p = 0.240) and procedural (90% vs 85%, p = 0.159) success and in-hospital major adverse cardiac event (4% vs 3%, p = 0.382) rates. However, atherectomy cases were associated with higher rates of donor vessel injury (4% vs 1%, p = 0.031), tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis (2.6% vs 0.4%, p = 0.012) and more often required use of a left ventricular assist device (9% vs 5%, p = 0.031). Atherectomy cases were associated with longer procedural duration (196 [141, 247] vs 119 [76, 180] minutes, p0.0001), and higher patient air kerma radiation dose (3.6 [2.5, 5.6] vs 2.8 [1.6, 4.7] Gray, p = 0.001). In conclusion, atherectomy is currently performed in approximately 3% of CTO PCI cases and is associated with similar technical and procedural success and overall major adverse cardiac event rates, but higher risk for donor vessel injury and tamponade.

AIMS The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the Tiger-II with Judkins 3.5L/4R catheters in coronary angiography (CAG) via the transradial approach (TRA). METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive patients undergoing non-urgent CAG via the right TRA were randomised to either the Tiger-II (Terumo) or Judkins (3.5L/4R; Medtronic) 5 Fr catheters; 320 patients in each group were randomised. Catheter or access site change was required in 57 (17.8%) vs. 68 (21.3%) patients allocated to the Tiger-II and Judkins group, respectively (p=0.3). The study's primary endpoint of contrast volume (ml) used until completion of CAG was lower for Tiger-II vs. Judkins group: 66.8 (54.0-82.0) vs. 73.4 (60.0-94.1), p

The impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients undergoing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. We reviewed 3999 CTO PCIs performed in 3914 patients between 2012 and 2018 at 25 centers, 14% of whom had a history of PAD. We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of patients with versus without history of PAD. Patients with PAD were older (67 ± 9 vs 64 ± 10 years, P < .001) and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. They also had more complex lesions as illustrated by higher Japanese CTO score (2.7 ± 1.2 vs 2.4 ± 1.3, P < .001). In patients with PAD, the final crossing technique was less often antegrade wire escalation (40% vs 51%, P < .001) and more often the retrograde approach (23 vs 20%, P < .001) and antegrade dissection/reentry (20% vs 16%, P < .001). Technical success was similar between the 2 study groups (84% vs 87%, P = .127), but procedural success was lower for patients with PAD (81% vs 85%, P = .015). The incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events was higher among patients with PAD (3% vs 2%, P = .046). In conclusion, patients with PAD undergoing CTO PCI have more comorbidities, more complex lesions, and lower procedural success.

AIMS The retrograde approach is critical for achieving high success rates in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but has been associated with higher risk of complications. We examined the contemporary outcomes of the retrograde approach to CTO PCI aiming to identify areas in need of improvement. METHODS AND RESULTS We compared the technical and procedural outcomes of retrograde (n=1,515) and antegrade-only CTO PCIs (n=2,686) in a contemporary multicentre CTO registry. The mean age of patients undergoing retrograde PCI was 65±10 years and 86% were men, with high prevalence of prior myocardial infarction (51%), prior PCI (71%), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (45%). The mean J-CTO score (3±1 vs 2±1, p

Background When crossing into the distal true lumen fails during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), subintimal plaque modification (SPM) is often performed to restore antegrade flow and facilitate subsequent lesion recanalization. Methods Between January 2012 and May 4, 2019, 4,659 CTO PCIs were included in the PROGRESS-CTO registry, of which 935 (20%) had a prior unsuccessful attempt. Of those 935 patients, 119 (13%) had prior SPM. We analyzed the outcomes of the 58 SPM procedures for which data were available, as well as the outcomes of the 60 subsequent CTO PCI attempts. Results Mean patient age was 67 ± 9 years and 86% were men. Patients had high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia (91%), hypertension (93%) diabetes (48%), prior PCI (61%), and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (47%). The target CTO lesions often had proximal cap ambiguity (54%), moderate/severe calcification (73%), moderate/severe tortuosity (63%), and high J-CTO score (mean 3.2 ± 1.1). The technical and procedural success of subsequent CTO PCI were high (83% for both) with an acceptable rate of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (3.3%). Technical and procedural success were higher for repeat attempts that were performed ≥60 days after the index CTO PCI (94% vs. 69%, p = .015). Median (interquartile range) subsequent procedure time was 147 (100, 215) min, contrast volume was 185 (150, 260) ml, and air kerma radiation dose was 2.5 (1.4, 4.2) Gray. Conclusion Repeat CTO PCI attempts after SPM are associated with high likelihood for successful revascularization with acceptable risks.

We examined the procedural outcomes of chronic total occlusions (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).We compared the clinical, angiographic characteristics and outcomes of 3486 CTO interventions performed in patients with (n=1101) and without (n=2317) prior CABG at 21 centers. Prior CABG patients (32% of total cohort) were older (67±9 versus 63±10 years; P0.001) and had more comorbidities and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (50% [40-58] versus 55% [45-60]; P0.001). The CTO target vessel in prior CABG patients was the right coronary artery (56%), circumflex (26%), and left anterior descending artery (17%). The mean J-CTO (2.9±1.2 versus 2.2±1.3; P0.001) and PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention; 1.5±1.1 versus 1.2±1.0; P0.001) score was higher in prior CABG patients. Retrograde (53% versus 30%, P0.001) and antegrade dissection reentry (35% versus 28%; P0.001) techniques were used more frequently in prior CABG patients. Prior CABG patients had lower technical (84% versus 89%; P0.001) and procedural (82% versus 87%, P0.001) success, but similar incidence of in-hospital major complications (3.1% versus 2.5%; P=0.287). In-hospital mortality (1% versus 0.4%; P=0.016) and coronary perforation (7.1% versus 3.1%; P0.001) occurred more frequently in prior CABG patients, however, CABG patients had a lower incidence of pericardial tamponade (0.1% versus 1.0%; P=0.002) and pericardiocentesis (0% versus 1.3%; P0.001).In a large multicenter CTO percutaneous coronary interventions registry, prior CABG patients had lower success rate but similar overall risk for complications, although mortality was higher and the incidence of tamponade was lower.URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT02061436.

During chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), sometimes non-CTO lesions are also treated.We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of CTO PCIs with and without concomitant treatment of a non-CTO lesion in a contemporary multicenter CTO registry.Of the 3598 CTO PCIs performed at 21 centers between 2012 and 2018, 814 (23%) also included PCI of at least one non-CTO lesion. Patients in whom non-CTO lesions were treated were older (65 ± 10 vs. 64 ± 10 years, p = 0.03), more likely to present with an acute coronary syndrome (32% vs. 23%, p 0.01), and less likely to undergo PCI of a right coronary artery (RCA) CTO (46% vs. 58%, p 0.01). The most common non-CTO lesion location was the left anterior descending artery (31%), followed by the circumflex (29%) and the RCA (25%).Combined non-CTO and CTO-PCI procedures had similar technical (88% vs. 87%, p = 0.33) and procedural (85% vs. 85%, p = 0.74) success and major in-hospital complication rates (3.4% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.23), but had longer procedure duration (131 [88, 201] vs. 117 [75, 179] minutes, p 0.01), higher patient air kerma radiation dose (3.0 [1.9, 4.8] vs. 2.8 [1.5, 4.6] Gray, p 0.01) and larger contrast volume (300 [220, 380] vs. 250 [180, 350] ml, p 0.01).Combined CTO PCI with PCI of non-CTO lesions is associated with similar success and major in-hospital complication rates compared with cases in which only CTOs were treated, but requires longer procedure duration and higher radiation dose and contrast volume.

For patients needing coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a planned, staged intervention has been recommended by experts. Ad hoc CTO-PCI, however, occurs in practice.Observational, contemporary, multicenter, international registry. Our goals were to determine the frequency, characteristics, procedural techniques, and outcomes of patients who underwent ad hoc vs planned CTO-PCI.Among 2282 patients who underwent CTO-PCI between 2012 and 2017, 318 (14%) were ad hoc. Patients undergoing ad hoc CTO-PCI had lower J-CTO, PROGRESS CTO, and PROGRESS Complications scores. Antegrade-wire escalation was used more often in ad hoc PCI (96% vs 81%; P.001), whereas antegrade-dissection re-entry (22% vs 32%) and retrograde approaches (14% vs 38%) were more common in planned PCI (P.001). There was no difference in ad hoc vs planned PCI in technical (85% vs 86%) and procedural success (84% vs 84%). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were more common in patients who underwent planned procedures (0.6% vs 2.9%; P=.02). Multivariable analyses showed that ad hoc CTO-PCI was not associated with technical success or MACE.Ad hoc CTO-PCI occurs more commonly in less complex lesions and is associated with similarly high success rates as planned CTO-PCI in lower J-CTO score lesions, suggesting that ad hoc CTO-PCI may be an acceptable option for experienced hybrid operators in carefully selected cases. Complex cases, as quantified by the J-CTO score, have a higher in-hospital MACE rate and should preferably be performed following proper planning and preparation.

The most common re-entry technique during retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking (rCART). The use of guide-catheter extensions can facilitate rCART, but has received limited study.We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of traditional rCART vs guide-catheter extension rCART vs cases in which both techniques were used (combined rCART) in patients with successful retrograde CTO crossing in a contemporary multicenter CTO-PCI registry.Between 2012 and 2018, rCART was used in 467 of 1336 retrograde CTO-PCI cases. Guide-catheter extension rCART was used in 60/467 cases (13%; use increased from 0% in 2012 to 26% in 2017). The traditional rCART group, guide-catheter extension rCART group, and combined rCART group had similar target lesion J-CTO scores (3.3 ± 1.1 vs 3.2 ± 1.2 vs 3.6 ± 0.8, respectively; P=.28), technical success rates (99% vs 100% vs 96.4%, respectively; P=.36), procedural success rates (93.2% vs 93.8% vs 96.3%, respectively; P=.82), and major in-hospital adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates (6.4% vs 9.4% vs 3.6%, respectively; P=.66). Total procedural time was longer in the combined rCART group (196 min [IQR, 146-256 min] vs 200 min [IQR, 164-293 min] vs 255 min [IQR, 195-280 min], respectively; P.01), with a trend for lower patient air kerma radiation dose in the guide-catheter extension groups (4.11 Gray [IQR, 2.49-5.77 Gray] vs 3.19 Gray [IQR, 1.29-4.74 Gray] vs 3.47 Gray [IQR, 2.89-5.56 Gray]; P=.07).Guide-catheter extension rCART is increasingly being used for retrograde CTO crossing and is associated with similar success and MACE rates as traditional rCART.

The effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on in-hospital outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.We evaluated the prevalence of CKD and its impact on CTO-PCI outcomes in 1979 patients who underwent 2040 procedures between 2012 and 2017 at 18 centers. CKD was defined as preprocedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)60 mL/min/1.73 m².Compared with patients without CKD (n = 1444; 73%), patients with CKD (n = 535; 27%) had more comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, prior myocardial infarction, PCI, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and stroke), and more severe calcification and proximal vessel tortuosity. Patients with and without CKD had similar technical success rates (84% vs 86%; P=.49) and procedural success rates (83% vs 84%; P=.44). Patients with CKD had higher in-hospital mortality rate (1.9% vs 0.3%; P.001) and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) rate (4.3% vs 2.2%; P.01). In-hospital mortality and MACE rates increased with decreasing eGFR levels (P=.03). In multivariate analysis, an independent association was observed between CKD and in-hospital mortality (adjusted odd ratio, 4.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-16.0; P=.02), but not overall MACE (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-2.7; P=.28).CKD is common among patients undergoing CTO-PCI. High success rates can be achieved in patients with decreased glomerular filtration rate, but CKD may be associated with higher in-hospital mortality.

This study examined the frequency and outcomes of radial access for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Radial access improves the safety of PCI, but its role in CTO PCI remains controversial.We compared the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics of 3,790 CTO interventions performed between 2012 and 2018 via radial-only access (RA) (n = 747) radial-femoral access (RFA) (n = 844) and femoral-only access (n = 2,199) access at 23 centers in the United States, Europe, and Russia.Patients' mean age was 65 ± 10 years, and 85% were men. Transradial access (RA and RFA) was used in 42% of CTO interventions and significantly increased over time from 11% in 2012 to 67% in 2018 (p 0.001). RA patients were younger (age 62 ± 10 years vs. 64 ± 10 years and 65 ± 10 years; p 0.001), less likely to have undergone prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (18% vs. 39% and 35%; p 0.001), and less likely to have undergone prior PCI (60% vs. 63% and 66%; p = 0.005) compared with those who underwent RFA and femoral-only access PCI. RA CTO PCI lesions had lower J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 2.6 ± 1.3 and 2.5 ± 1.3; p 0.001) and PROGRESS CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) complication (2.3 ± 1.9 vs. 3.2 ± 2.0 and 3.2 ± 1.9; p 0.001) scores. The mean sheath size was significantly smaller in the RA group (6.6 ± 0.7 vs. 7.0 ± 0.6 and 7.3 ± 0.8; p 0.0001), although it increased with lesion complexity. Antegrade dissection re-entry (20% vs. 33% and 32%; p 0.001) was less commonly used with RA, whereas use of retrograde techniques was highest with RFA (47%). The overall rates of technical success (89% vs. 88% vs. 86%; p = 0.061), procedural success (86% vs. 85% vs. 85%; p = 0.528), and in-hospital major complication (2.47% vs. 3.40% vs. 2.18%; p = 0.830) were similar in all 3 groups, whereas major bleeding was lower in the RA group (0.55% vs. 1.94% and 0.88%; p = 0.013).Transradial access is increasingly being used for CTO PCI and is associated with similar technical and procedural success and lower major bleeding rates compared with femoral-only access interventions. (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention [PROGRESS CTO]; NCT02061436).

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that more intensive over standard anticoagulation administered during coronary angiography would significantly reduce rates of radial artery occlusion (RAO).RAO, although silent, remains a frequent and therefore worrisome complication following transradial coronary angiography. Anticoagulation is effective in reducing RAO, but the optimal heparin dose remains ill defined.In this multicenter, randomized superiority trial, a high dose (100 IU/kg body weight administered in divided doses) and a standard dose (50 IU/kg body weight) of heparin during 5- or 6-F coronary angiography were compared. A total of 3,102 patients were randomized, of whom 1,836 patients not proceeding to percutaneous coronary intervention and without need for arterial access crossover entered the trial. Post-catheterization hemostasis did not follow a rigid protocol.A total of 102 early RAOs were found on ultrasonography (incidence 5.6%). In the high-dose heparin group, the rate of RAO was significantly lower compared with the standard-dose heparin group (27 [3.0%] vs. 75 [8.1%]; odds ratio: 0.35; 95% confidence interval: 0.22 to 0.55; p 0.001), without compromising safety. The time to achieve hemostasis was similar between groups. To avoid 1 RAO, the number of patients needed to treat in the high-dose heparin group was approximately 20. These results were corroborated by our integrated database, showing an 80% reduction of forearm artery occlusions in high versus low heparin dose patients and our updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials demonstrating significant benefit of higher over lower anticoagulation intensity.High compared with standard heparin dose significantly reduced the rate of RAO in patients undergoing coronary angiography. High-intensity anticoagulation should be considered in transradial diagnostic procedures. (High [100IU/Kg] Versus Standard [50IU/Kg] Heparin Dose for Prevention of Forearm Artery Occlusion; NCT02570243).

Ostial chronic total occlusions (CTOs) can be challenging to recanalize.We sought to examine the prevalence, angiographic presentation, and procedural outcomes of ostial (side-branch ostial and aorto-ostial) CTOs among 1000 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed in 971 patients between 2015 and 2017 at 14 centres in the US, Europe, and Russia.Ostial CTOs represented 16.9% of all CTO PCIs: 9.6% were aorto-ostial, and 7.3% were side-branch ostial occlusions. Compared with nonostial CTOs, ostial CTOs were longer (44 ± 33 vs 29 ± 19 mm, P0.001) and more likely to have proximal-cap ambiguity (55% vs 33%, P0.001), moderate/severe calcification (67% vs 45%, P 0.001), a diffusely diseased distal vessel (41% vs 26%, P 0.001), interventional collaterals (64% vs 53%, P = 0.012), and previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) (51% vs 27%, P 0.001). The retrograde approach was used more often in ostial CTOs (54% vs 29%, P0.001) and was more often the final successful crossing strategy (30% vs 18%, P = 0.003). Technical (81% vs 84%, P = 0.280), and procedural (77% vs 83%, P = 0.112) success rates and the incidence of in-hospital major complication were similar (4.8% vs 2.2%, P = 0.108), yet in-hospital mortality (3.0% vs 0.5%, P = 0.010) and stroke (1.2% vs 0.0%, P = 0.030) were higher in the ostial CTO PCI group. In multivariable analysis, ostial CTO location was not independently associated with higher risk for in-hospital major complications (adjusted odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence intervals 0.37 to 4.51, P = 0.694).Ostial CTOs can be recanalized with similar rates of success as nonostial CTOs but are more complex, more likely to require retrograde crossing and may be associated with numerically higher risk for major in-hospital complications.

The aim of this study was to determine the techniques and outcomes of hybrid chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a diverse group of patients and operators on 2 continents.CTO PCI has been evolving with constant improvement of equipment and techniques.Contemporary outcomes of CTO PCI were examined by analyzing the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics of 3,122 CTO interventions performed in 3,055 patients at 20 centers in the United States, Europe, and Russia.The mean age was 65 ± 10 years, and 85% of the patients were men, with high prevalence of diabetes (43%), prior myocardial infarction (46%), prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (33%), and prior PCI (65%). The CTO target vessels were the right coronary artery (55%), left anterior descending coronary artery (24%), and left circumflex coronary artery (20%). The mean J-CTO (Multicenter Chronic Total Occlusion Registry of Japan) and PROGRESS CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) scores were 2.4 ± 1.3 and 1.3 ± 1.0, respectively. The overall technical and procedural success rate was 87% and 85%, respectively, and the rate of in-hospital major complications was 3.0%. The final successful crossing strategy was antegrade wire escalation in 52.0%, retrograde in 27.1%, and antegrade dissection re-entry in 20.9%;1 crossing strategy was required in 40.9%. Median contrast volume, air kerma radiation dose, and procedure and fluoroscopy time were 270 ml (interquartile range: 200 to 360 ml), 2.9 Gy (interquartile range: 1.7 to 4.7 Gy), 123 min (interquartile range: 81 to 188 min) and 47 min (interquartile range: 29 to 77 min), respectively.CTO PCI is currently being performed with high success and acceptable complication rates among various experienced centers in the United States, Europe, and Russia. (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention [PROGRESS CTO]; NCT02061436).

The frequency and outcomes of patients who underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of more than one CTO during the same procedure have received limited study. We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of patients who underwent treatment of single versus1 CTOs during the same procedure in 20 centers from the United States, Europe, and Russia. A total of 2,955 patients were included: mean age was 65 ± 10 years and 85% were men with high prevalence of previous myocardial infarction (46%), and previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (33%). More than one CTO lesions were attempted during the same procedure in 58 patients (2.0%) and 70% of them were located in different major epicardial arteries. Compared with patients who underwent PCI of a single CTO, those who underwent PCI of1 CTOs during the same procedure had similar J-CTO (2.4 ± 1.3 vs 2.5 ± 1.3, p = 0.579) and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (1.5 ± 1.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.0 p = 0.147) scores. The multi-CTO PCI group had similar technical success (86% vs 87%, p = 0.633), but higher risk of in-hospital major complications (10.3% vs 2.7%, p = 0.005), and consequently numerically lower procedural success (79% vs 85%, p = 0.197). The multi-CTO PCI group had higher in-hospital mortality (5.2% vs 0.5%, p = 0.005) and stroke (5.2%vs 0.2%, p0.001), longer procedure duration (162 [117 to 242] vs 122 [80 to 186] minutes, p0.001) and higher radiation dose (3.6 [2.1 to 6.4] vs 2.9 [1.7 to 4.7] Gray, p = 0.033). In conclusion, staged revascularization may be the preferred approach in patients with1 CTO lesions requiring revascularization, as treatment during a single procedure was associated with higher risk for periprocedural complications.

We hypothesized that measurement of B-type natriuretic peptide could identify patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes at high risk for complications during beta-blocker (esmolol) infusion.We reviewed the records of 340 consecutive patients admitted with a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Seventy three (47 males, aged 62 ± 14 years) received esmolol up to a maximum dose of 300 μg/ kg/min until the symptoms were relieved or an adverse event occurred.The median infusion rate at steady state was 175 μg/kg/min (median infusion time 18 h). Infusion was halted in 14 patients. The frequency of drug discontinuation increased across admission BNP quartiles. BNP141 pg/ml at admission had a 95% predictive value for subsequent withdrawal of esmolol. The presence of BNP141 pg/ml in combination with systolic blood pressure130 mmHg and left ventricular ejection fraction50% identified a group of patients at high risk for drug interruption (interruption frequency = 83%, 95% CI: 55-95%).In conclusion, BNP measurement in combination with systolic blood pressure and 2D echocardiography may identify patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes at high risk for adverse events during esmolol infusion.

To assess the efficacy and safety of transradial approach regardless of the Allen's test results for coronary angiography and angioplasty.Prospective data collection of 1035 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography with or without ad hoc angioplasty through the radial approach was conducted. Baseline demographic and procedural data were recorded. Allen's test was evaluated in all subjects before the procedure and catheterization was performed from the radial approach irrespective of the results. Radial artery patency was evaluated at discharge clinically, or by Doppler examination if pulse was not palpable. A total of 256 patients (24.7%) were found to have a negative Allen's test and 779 patients (75.3%) had a positive test. The baseline and procedural characteristics were similar in both groups. No significant differences in complications were reported. Radial artery thrombosis was observed in 6.2% of the negative Allen's test group and 4.8% of the positive Allen's test group (P=.85), but this was clinically silent even in the negative Allen's test group.Transradial approach for coronary angiography and ad hoc angioplasty can be performed with similar efficacy and safety regardless of the Allen's test results before the procedure.