Novel retrograde approach for percutaneous treatment of chronic total occlusions of the right coronary artery using ipsilateral collateral connections: a European centre experience.

Aims: A systematic description of the percutaneous treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the right coronary artery (RCA) using ipsilateral collateral connections (CCs) for the retrograde approach has never been carried out. Our aim was to investigate this issue systematically.
Methods and Results: Based on the experiences of a European high-volume CTO centre: 1) a generalised scheme of the varying anatomic courses of ipsilateral CCs bridging CTOs of the RCA was developed; 2) important stepwise technical advice for the ipsilateral retrograde approach was formulated; and 3) a supportive clinical case series was assessed. Of a total of 158 patients with CTOs of the RCA, 30% (n=47) revealed ipsilateral CCs of the RCA. Five different types (A-E) of ipsilateral CCs were assessed. The retrograde ipsilateral approach was attempted in nine patients, and was completed successfully in 89% (8/9 patients). Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 56% (interquartile range [IQR]: 50-60%) and mean J-CTO score was 2.9 (standard error of mean [SEM]: ±0.3). Median procedural duration time was 150 min (IQR 117-160 min), with a median applied amount of contrast of 360 ml (IQR 270-400 ml). No relevant complications, such as acute renal failure or severe bleedings, occurred.
Conclusions: The percutaneous treatment of CTOs of the RCA using ipsilateral CCs for the retrograde approach might provide a novel treatment alternative for patients with CTOs of the RCA in specific clinical situations.