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Background: There are limited contemporary data on the impact of success vs. failure on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of contemporary studies that compared the outcomes in patients who underwent successful vs. failed contemporary (2010 onwards) CTO PCI. We performed a sensitivity analysis limited to studies that started enrollment after the publication of the hybrid algorithm in 2012. Results: We included five studies with a total of 6,084 patients (successful CTO PCI n = 4,861, failed CTO PCI n = 1,223). During a median follow-up time of 12 months (range 6–60 months), successful CTO PCI was associated with a lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events [OR: 0.61, 95% CI (0.41, 0.92), p = 0.02, I2 = 63%] and all-cause death [OR: 0.57, 95% CI (0.33, 0.99), p = 0.05, I2 = 60%]. Both groups had similar risk of myocardial infarction (MI) [OR 0.69, 95% CI (0.43, 1.10), p = 0.38, I2 = 80%], target vessel revascularization (TVR) [OR: 0.56, 95% CI (0.25, 1.27), p = 0.17, I2 = 80%], and stroke [OR: 0.52, 95% CI (0.14, 1.91), p = 0.33, I2 = 0%]. Conclusion: In contemporary practice, successful CTO PCI was associated with a lower incidence of MACE driven by lower all-cause mortality compared with failed CTO PCI at a median follow-up of 1 year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Our objective was to describe the contemporary outcomes of orbital atherectomy (OA) vs. rotational atherectomy (RA) use for inpatient percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the United States. Data on the use of OA vs. RA in contemporary inpatient PCI are limited. Methods: We queried the Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD) from January to November for the years 2016–2017 to identify hospitalizations of patients who underwent PCI with atherectomy. We conducted a multivariate regression analysis to identify variables associated with in-hospital mortality. Results: We included 77,040 records of patients who underwent inpatient PCI with atherectomy. Of those, 71,610 (93%) had RA, and 5430 (7%) had OA. There was no significant change in the trend of using OA or RA over 2016 and 2017. OA was less utilized in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (4.3% vs. 46.8%, p < 0.001). In our cohort, OA was associated with lower in-hospital mortality (3.1% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and 30-day urgent readmission (< 0.01% vs. 0.2%, p = 0.009), but a higher risk of coronary perforation (1.7% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001) and cardiac tamponade (1% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) and a higher cost of index hospitalization ($28,199 vs. $23,188, p < 0.001) compared with RA. Conclusion: RA remains the predominant atherectomy modality for inpatient PCI in the United States (93%). There was no change in the trend of use for either modality over the years 2016 and 2017. OA was noted to have a lower incidence of in-hospital death, but a higher risk of coronary perforation and a higher cost of index hospitalization for the overall unmatched cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has been associated with significant clinical benefits, but remains technically demanding. Failure to cross the CTO with a guidewire is the most common cause of CTO PCI failure. CTO crossing can be achieved in the antegrade or retrograde direction and can be accomplished by maintaining true lumen position throughout or via subintimal dissection/reentry techniques. A procedural plan should be created prior to the procedure through careful angiographic review of four key parameters: (a) morphology of the proximal occlusion cap; (b) length of the occlusion; (c) quality of the distal vessel and presence of bifurcation at the distal cap; and (d) suitability of collateral circulation for retrograde crossing. Dual coronary injection is recommended in all cases with contralateral collaterals for detailed characterization of the lesion. If one approach fails to progress, a quick transition to the next approach is encouraged to maximize efficacy and efficiency. Procedural complications, including vessel perforation, may occur more frequently in CTO as compared with non-CTO PCI; hence, availability of necessary equipment and expertise in treating such complications are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) have been called 'the last frontier' of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) due to traditionally low success rates and high risk for restenosis and re-occlusion. Recent advances in equipment and crossing techniques have significantly increased CTO PCI success rates while maintaining low risk of complications. Specifically, the retrograde approach and controlled antegrade dissection and re-entry in conjunction with advanced guidewires and microcatheters have significantly improved procedural success rates. Moreover, the introduction of the 'hybrid' approach has created a unified framework for operators to approach CTOs in a systematic and efficient fashion. Finally, drug-eluting stents, especially second generation, have improved long-term patency after CTO PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: To summarize novel techniques and developments in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Recent Findings: Using an algorithmic, step-by-step approach can help overcome several complex CTO lesions subsets, such as proximal cap ambiguity, ostial location, in-stent occlusion, bifurcations, balloon uncrossable and undilatable lesions. Similarly, an algorithmic approach can help prevent and optimally treat CTO PCI-related complication, such as perforation, radiation, and contrast-induced nephropathy.Summary: Continual update and reassessment of each operator’s algorithm for performing CTO PCI can lead to improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]