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There is limited data on predicting successful chronic total occlusion crossing using primary antegrade wiring (AW). The aim of this study was to develop and validate a machine learning (ML) prognostic model for successful chronic total occlusion crossing using primary AW. We used data from 12,136 primary AW cases performed between 2012 and 2023 at 48 centers in the PROGRESS CTO registry (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention; NCT02061436) to develop 5 ML models. Hyperparameter tuning was performed for the model with the best performance, and the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) explainer was implemented to estimate feature importance. Primary AW was successful in 6,965 cases (57.4%). Extreme gradient boosting was the best performing ML model with an average area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.775 (± 0.010). After hyperparameter tuning, the average area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the extreme gradient boosting model was 0.782 in the training set and 0.780 in the testing set. Among the factors examined, occlusion length had the most significant impact on predicting successful primary AW crossing followed by blunt/no stump, presence of interventional collaterals, vessel diameter, and proximal cap ambiguity. In contrast, aorto-ostial lesion location had the least impact on the outcome. A web-based application for predicting successful primary AW wiring crossing is available online (PROGRESS-CTO website) (https://www.progresscto.org/predict-aw-success). We developed an ML model with 14 features and high predictive capacity for successful primary AW in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary frequency and outcomes of antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and outcomes of ADR use in a large multicenter CTO PCI registry. The characteristics and outcomes of ADR were examined among 12,568 patients who underwent 12,841 CTO PCIs at 46 U.S. and non-U.S. centers between 2012 and 2023. ADR was used in 2,385 of the procedures (18.6%). ADR use declined from 37.9% in 2012 to 14.5% in 2022 (P < 0.001). Patients in whom ADR was used had a high prevalence of comorbidities. Compared with cases that did not use ADR, ADR cases had more complex angiographic characteristics, higher mean J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) score (2.94 ± 1.11 vs 2.23 ± 1.26; P < 0.001), lower technical success (77.0% vs 89.3%; P < 0.001), and higher in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (3.7% vs 1.6%; P < 0.001). The use of the CrossBoss declined from 71% in 2012 to 1.4% in 2022 and was associated with higher technical success (87%) compared with wire-based techniques (73%). The Stingray device displayed higher technical success (86%) compared with subintimal tracking and re-entry (STAR) (74%) and limited antegrade subintimal tracking (78%); however, its use has been decreasing, with STAR becoming the most used re-entry technique in 2022 (44% STAR vs 38% Stingray). The use of ADR has been decreasing. ADR was used in more complex lesions and was associated with lower technical success and higher major adverse cardiac events compared with non-ADR cases. There has been a decrease in Stingray use and an increase in the use of STAR for re-entry. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower success and higher complication rates when compared with the antegrade approach. This study sought to assess contemporary techniques and outcomes of retrograde CTO PCI. We examined the baseline characteristics, procedural techniques and outcomes of 4,058 retrograde CTO PCIs performed at 44 centers between 2012 and 2023. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included any of the following in-hospital events: death, myocardial infarction, repeat target vessel revascularization, pericardiocentesis, cardiac surgery, and stroke. The average J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) score was 3.1 ± 1.1. Retrograde crossing was successful in 60.5% and lesion crossing in 81.6% of cases. The collaterals pathways successfully used were septals in 62.0%, saphenous vein grafts in 17.4%, and epicardials in 19.1%. The technical and procedural success rates were 78.7% and 76.6%, respectively. When retrograde crossing failed, technical success was achieved in 50.3% of cases using the antegrade approach. In-hospital MACE was 3.5%. The clinical coronary perforation rate was 5.8%. The incidence of in-hospital MACE with retrograde true lumen crossing, just marker antegrade crossing, conventional reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking (CART), contemporary reverse CART, extended reverse CART, guide-extension reverse CART, and CART was 2.1%, 0.8%, 5.5%, 3.0%, 2.1%, 3.2%, and 4.1%, respectively; P = 0.01). Retrograde CTO PCI is utilized in highly complex cases and yields moderate success rates with 5.8% perforation and 3.5% periprocedural MACE rates. Among retrograde crossing strategies, retrograde true lumen puncture was the safest. There is need for improvement of the efficacy and safety of retrograde CTO PCI. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guiding catheter extensions (GCEs) have become indispensable tools in the modern approach to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The support offered during complex PCI of uncrossable, or tortuous lesions is particularly valuable in the setting of chronic total occlusions (CTO), both for conventional anterograde wire escalation and for anterograde or retrograde dissection and re-entry techniques. This EuroCTO consensus document describes the use of GCE during CTO recanalization and provides a practical guide to anatomies and techniques in which these devices are applicable. We describe the peculiar features of the most-used device and the practical technique for GCE delivery in standard PCI; further specific indications for antegrade and retrograde CTO PCI are discussed in a specific section. In the antegrade approach, the GCEs may be useful to increase support or facilitate antegrade dissection and re-entry techniques, while in the retrograde approach for reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking, to increase retrograde support for gear delivery, for treatment of CTO in bifurcation and ipsilateral externalization with a single guide catheter. The last section of the paper describes GCE-related complications, challenges, limitations, and future perspectives. [Display omitted] • GCEs have become indispensable tools in the modern approach to PCI and for CTO PCI. • GCEs in CTO PCI can be used to increase support for both antegrade and retrograde approaches, facilitating the delivery of wires, microcatheters, and balloons. • The use of GCE is helpful also in antegrade or retrograde dissection and re-entry techniques, such as reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking to achieve wire connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distal vessel quality is a key parameter in the global chronic total occlusion (CTO) crossing algorithm. The study sought to evaluate the association of distal vessel quality with the outcomes of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention. We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 10,028 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions performed at 39 U.S. and non-U.S. centers between 2012 and 2022. A poor-quality distal vessel was defined as <2 mm diameter or with significant diffuse atherosclerotic disease. In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) included death, myocardial infarction, urgent repeat target vessel revascularization, tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis or surgery, and stroke. A total of 33% of all CTO lesions had poor-quality distal vessel. When compared with good-quality distal vessels, CTO lesions with a poor-quality distal vessel had higher J-CTO (Japanese chronic total occlusion) scores (2.7 ± 1.1 vs 2.2 ± 1.3; P < 0.01), lower technical (79.9% vs 86.9%; P < 0.01) and procedural (78.0% vs 86.8%; P < 0.01) success, and higher incidence of MACE (2.5% vs 1.7%; P < 0.01) and perforation (6.4% vs 3.7%; P < 0.01). A poor-quality distal vessel was independently associated with technical failure and MACE. Poor-quality distal vessels were associated with higher use of the retrograde approach (25.2% vs 14.9%; P < 0.01) and higher air kerma radiation dose (2.4 [IQR: 1.3-4.0] Gy vs 2.0 [IQR: 1.1-3.5] Gy; P < 0.01). A poor-quality distal vessel in CTO lesions is associated with higher lesion complexity, higher need for retrograde crossing, lower technical and procedural success, higher incidence of MACE and coronary perforation, and higher radiation dose. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are limited data on the limited antegrade subintimal tracking (LAST) technique for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of use and outcomes of the LAST technique for CTO PCI. 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%). 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 ± 10 years, and 85.8% were men. There was no significant difference in technical (71.8% vs 77.8%; P = 0.080) and procedural (69.9% vs 75.3%; P = 0.127) success and major cardiac adverse events (1.84% vs 3.53%; P = 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 = 0.014) and procedural (75.6% vs 50.0%; P = 0.003) success and similar major adverse cardiac event (1.57% vs 2.78%; P = 0.636) rates compared with secondary LAST. 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. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare transradial access (TRA) with transfemoral access (TFA) for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). TRA reduces the risk for vascular access complications but may make complex PCI, such as CTO PCI, more challenging. FORT CTO (Femoral or Radial Approach in the Treatment of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion) (NCT03265769) was a prospective, noninferiority, randomized controlled study of TRA vs TFA for CTO PCI. The primary study endpoint was procedural success, defined as technical success without any in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events. The secondary study endpoint was major access-site complications. Between 2017 and 2021, 610 of 800 patients referred for CTO PCI at 4 centers were randomized to TRA (n = 305) or TFA (n = 305). Mean J-CTO (Multicenter CTO Registry in Japan) (2.1 ± 0.1 vs 2.2 ± 0.1; P = 0.279), PROGRESS CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention) (1.3 ± 0.9 vs 1.1 ± 1.0; P = 0.058) and PROGRESS CTO complication (2.4 ± 1.8 vs 2.3 ± 1.8; P = 0.561) scores and use of the retrograde approach (11% vs 14%; P = 0.342) were similar in the TRA and TFA groups. TRA was noninferior to TFA for procedural success (84% vs 86%; P = 0.563) but had fewer access-site complications (2.0% vs 5.6%; P = 0.019). There was no difference between TFA and TRA in procedural duration, contrast volume, or radiation dose. TRA was noninferior to TFA for CTO PCI but had fewer access-site complications. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are very few scientific data about the effectiveness of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to stent thrombosis (ST). The purpose of the present study is to investigate the efficacy and outcome of primary PCI for STEMI due to ST in the largest consecutive patient population with ST reported to date. Methods: A total of 2,644 consecutive STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI were retrospectively enrolled into the present study. The primary end point of this study was successful angiographic reperfusion defined as postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade III flow. The secondary end points were cardiovascular death and reinfarction. Results: Stent thrombosis was the cause of STEMI in 118 patients (4.4%). In patients with ST, angiographic success (postprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade III flow) was worse than in patients with de novo STEMI (76.3% vs 84.8%, P = .01). Patients with ST had significantly higher incidence of in-hospital cardiovascular mortality than patients with de novo STEMI (10.2% vs 5.3%, P = .02). In-hospital reinfarction rate was similar in both groups. In addition, long-term (mean 22 months) cardiovascular mortality and reinfarction rates were significantly higher in patients with ST compared with those without (17.4% vs 10.5%, P = .02 and 15.6% vs 9.5%, P = .03, respectively). Conclusions: Primary PCI for treatment of ST is less effective, and these patients are at increased risk for in-hospital and long-term mortality compared with patients undergoing primary PCI due to de novo STEMI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Clinically, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) usually presents with ventricular arrhythmias, and unusual presentations were reported as acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and electrical storm. Taking all this different presentations and treatments in to account, we report a case of ARVD presenting with central cyanosis and clubbing simulating congenital heart disease. Besides this unusual presentation, the patient underwent also an unusual operation for this kind of abnormality, which cured the cyanosis completely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the determinants of right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic functions in patients with atrial septal defect. Methods: Thirty-three patients with atrial septal defect having left to right shunt were enrolled in this study. RV function parameters were assessed echocardiographically. RV systolic function was assessed using tricuspid tissue Doppler S velocity (St). With regard to RV diastolic function parameters, E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT), E/Et ratio (Et=tissue Doppler E velocity), RV isovolumetric relaxation time (RVIVRT) were assessed. RV myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated as an index of both systolic and diastolic function. Pulmonary artery stiffness (PAS) was also calculated. After echocardiography, right and left heart catheterization was performed. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), systemic flow (Qs), pulmonary flow (Qp), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were obtained using the data of invasive measurements. Results: In multivariate analysis, MPAP was found to be the parameter closest related to RVIVRT (r =0.73, p <0.001) and E/Et (r =0.66, p <0.001), while PAS was found to be the parameter closest related to MPI (r =0.53, p =0.002). In addition, St velocity was found the only parameter related to PVR (r =−0.39) in univariate analysis. There was no relationship between QP/QS and any of the RV function parameters. Conclusion: The pulmonary vascular bed appears to be the predictor of the RV functions in patients with atrial left to right shunts, and the amount of the shunt seems to have no direct adverse influence on the RV functions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: We investigated the effects of thyroxine (T4) therapy on the cardiac function in subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) by using the index of myocardial performance (IMP) and the conventional echocardiographic parameters. Methods: Forty-five SHT patients (F/M:38/7, age 39.9±7.9) and 29 healthy subjects (F/M:25/4, age 38.3±8.6) were studied. Patients were randomly assigned, in a double-blind manner to receive T4 therapy (group I) or a placebo (group II) and for a period of up to 12 months, were followed up using thyroid function tests and both conventional and Doppler echocardiographic measurements. Results: At the baseline, the SHT patients has a significantly higher isovolumic relaxation time (IRT) (98.3±23.7 vs. 81.7±14.7<0.01), IMP (0.52±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.05; P<0.001), A max (late mitral peak velocity) (83.4±12.6 vs. 74.3±13.5; P<0.01) and significantly lower (early mitral peak velocity) Emax/Amax ratio (1.19±0.18 vs. 1.34±0.17; P<0.01) than the individuals in the control group. In group I, the thyroid hormone profile became normalized after 1 year of L-T4 therapy, but there was no significant change in the left ventricular (LV) morphology or systolic function. After 1 year of follow-up, group I showed a significant reduction of MPI (0.53±0.05 vs. 0.42±0.07; P<0.001), Amax (84.2±13.7 vs. 74.5±11; P<0.001) and IRT (98.6±23.7 vs. 82.9± 23.3; P<0.001) along with a normalization of the E/A ratio (1.17±0.16 vs. 1.33±0.19; P<0.001). Conversely, no change was observed in group II. Conclusions: An impairment of left ventricular diastolic function, which may be reversible with T4 therapy, was observed in the SHT patients, and IMP may be useful in the evaluation of LV myocardial dysfunction in these patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of the present study was to determine which maneuver causes the greatest pressure difference between both atria by measuring right and left atrial pressures simultaneously after certain maneuvers. Thirty-two coronary care unit patients, whom a Swan–Ganz catheter was inserted because of acute left ventricular dysfunction, hypotension, sinus tachicardia with unknown cause, were included in this study. The basal values of peak right atrium (RA) pressure and corresponding pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured via two separated tranducers. Patients were tutored with several trials to perform breath holding, successive three strong coughs, Valsalva maneuver, 20° head down, respectively. In the end of these maneuvers, the peak RA pressure and corresponding PCWP were measured simultaneously. All maneuvers caused an increase in RA pressure. The highest peak RA pressure was obtained by means of the Valsalva maneuver (7.6±5 versus 20.4±7.6 mmHg before and after Valsalva, respectively; P<0.001). PCWP (18.8±5.9 mmHg) increased only with coughing (21.2±6.7 mmHg, P<0.01) and 20° head down maneuver (20±5.7 mmHg, P<0.05). The highest increase in pressure gradient between peak RA pressure and corresponding PCWP was observed during Valsalva maneuver (−11±6.6 vs. 2.3±5.9 mmHg, P<0.001). The lowest increase was obtained in 20° head down maneuver (−11±6.6 vs. −8.5±5.8 mmHg, P<0.001). When measuring the pressure of both atria invasively and simultaneously, Valsalva maneuver was the most effective maneuver consistent with pressure difference in favour of RA among all the other maneuvers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most patients with total abnormal venous connection (TAPVC) have no symptoms at birth, yet the majority die within the first year of life if surgical repair is not implemented. TAPVC is usually suspected in the neonatal period, and without surgical repair prolonged survival is quite exceptional. This kind of abnormality can be a real challenge for a non-pediatrics cardiologist today and can be easily misdiagnosed as a large secundum atrial septal defect if there is no sufficient suspicion of TAPVC. Therefore, a case of a 40-year-old female patient referred to our clinic with increasing shortness of breath is of great interest, as this patient was diagnosed with TAPVC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intracavitary tumors such as angiosarcomas are prone to embolize, and occlude valves and vessels. Intramyocardial tumors cause cardiac failure and arrhytmias. Pericardial tumors cause effusions which result in tamponade. It is very rare that an intracavitary tumor presents itself with a cardiac tamponade. A 32-year old woman presented to the emergency room with palpitation and shortness of breath. Her physical examination revealed pulsus paradoxus and jugular venous distention. The transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular function, and an intracavitary right atrial mass. As the patients clinical status deteriorated an emergency operation was performed. The hemorrhagic pericardial fluid was cytologically positive for malignant cells. Histo-pathological findings were indicative of an angiosarcoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular diastolic function and forearm endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) without overt cardiovascular disease. Forearm endothelial function and diastolic Doppler parameters, including tissue Doppler imaging, were studied in 32 men with ED and 27 age-matched, healthy, male control subjects. Left ventricular diastolic function in patients with ED and the relation between endothelium-dependent vasodilation and the Doppler parameters of left ventricular diastolic function, including tissue Doppler imaging, were assessed. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (4.1 ± 3.3% vs 9.7 ± 4.2%, p <0.001) as well as the mitral inflow E velocity (0.66 ± 0.17 vs 0.80 ± 0.16 m/s, p = 0.01), the E/A ratio (the ratio of mitral inflow E velocity to mitral inflow A velocity; 0.91 ± 0.3% vs 1.22 ± 0.26%, p <0.001), and the E/Em ratio (the ratio of mitral A-wave velocity to early diastolic velocity in the annulus derived by tissue Doppler imaging; 7.4 ± 2.7% vs 6.6 ± 1.6%, p = 0.03) were smaller in the ED group than in the control group. Deceleration time (228.6 ± 61.6 vs 192.9 ± 44.6 ms, p = 0.03) and isovolumetric relaxation time (112.8 ± 18 vs 94 ± 15.9 ms, p <0.001) were also prolonged in the ED group compared with the control group. The mitral E-wave velocity (r = 0.40, p = 0.022), the E/A ratio (r = 0.40, p=0.027), and the E/Em ratio (r = −0.52, p = 0.003) were related to endothelium-dependent vasodilation by univariate analysis. Only the E/Em ratio was correlated with endothelium-dependent vasodilation by multivariate analysis. In conclusion, this study indicates that endothelial function and left ventricular diastolic function are impaired in patients with ED without overt cardiovascular disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]