Search

BACKGROUND:The prevalence, treatment and outcomes of balloon undilatable chronic total occlusions (CTOs) have received limited study. METHODS:We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, and procedural outcomes of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for balloon undilatable CTOs in a contemporary multicenter US registry. RESULTS:Between 2012 and 2017 data on balloon undilatable lesions were available for 425 consecutive CTO PCIs in 415 patients in whom guidewire crossing was successful: 52 of 425 CTOs were balloon undilatable (12%). Mean patient age was 65 ± 10 years and most patients were men (84%). Patients with balloon undilatable CTOs were more likely to be diabetic (67 vs. 41%, P

Background: The impact of peripheral artery disease (PAD) on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well studied., Methods: We analyzed the association of PAD with CTO-PCI outcomes using data from the PROGRESS-CTO registry of procedures performed at 47 centers between 2012 and 2023., Results: The prevalence of PAD among 12 961 patients who underwent CTO PCI during the study period was 13.9% (1802). PAD patients were older, more likely to be current smokers, and had higher rates of dyslipidemia, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, PCI, and coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Their PROGRESS-CTO (1.35 vs 1.22; P < .001) and J-CTO (2.63 vs 2.33; P < .001) scores were higher, lesion length was longer, and angiographic characteristics were more complex. Their access site was more likely to be bifemoral (33.6% vs 30.9%; P = .024) compared with patients with no PAD. Technical (82.9% vs 87.7%; P < .001) and procedural (80.5% vs 86.6%; P < .001) success rates were lower in patients with PAD, while the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher (3.1% vs 1.8%; P < .001), with higher mortality (0.8% vs 0.4%; P = .034), acute myocardial infarction rate (0.9% vs 0.4%; P = .010), and perforations rate (6.6% vs 4.5%; P < .001). In multivariable analysis, PAD was associated with higher MACE (odds ratio [OR]: 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01-2.26; P = .038) and lower technical success (OR: 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.99; P = .039)., Conclusions: PAD patients undergoing CTO PCI have higher comorbidity burden, more complex CTOs, higher MACE, and lower technical success.

Background: The impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) utilization for stent optimization on the long-term outcomes in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study., Methods: We examined the outcomes of CTO-PCI with and without IVUS use for stent optimization in 922 CTO-PCIs performed between 2012 and 2019 at 12 United States centers. Major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was defined as the composite of cardiac death, acute coronary syndrome, and target-vessel revascularization., Results: IVUS was used in 344 procedures (37%) for stent optimization. Mean patient age was 65 ± 10 years and 83% were men. Patients in the IVUS group were less likely to have a prior myocardial infarction (39% vs 50%; P<.01), more likely to undergo right coronary artery CTO-PCI (49% vs 55%; P=.01), and had higher mean J-CTO score (2.6 ± 1.1 vs 2.4 ± 1.2; P=.04). The final crossing strategy in patients in the IVUS group was less likely to be antegrade wire escalation (54% vs 57%) and more likely to be retrograde (29% vs 21%; P<.01). Median follow-up was 141 days (interquartile range, 30-365 days). The incidence of 12-month MACE was similar in the IVUS and no-IVUS groups (20.3% vs 18.3%; log-rank P=.67)., Conclusion: IVUS was used for stent optimization in approximately one-third of CTO-PCIs. Despite higher lesion complexity in the IVUS group, the incidence of MACE was similar during follow-up.

Background: Long-term outcomes of patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery undergoing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study., Methods: We compared the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural and follow-up outcomes of patients with and without prior CABG in a multicenter international registry., Results: Of the 1572 patients included in this analysis, a total of 498 (32%) had prior CABG. Prior CABG patients had higher J-CTO scores (2.9 ± 1.1 vs 2.2 ± 1.3; P<.001) and were less likely to undergo PCI of the left anterior descending artery (16.7% vs 29.6%; P<.001). The retrograde technique was used more often (47.4% vs 28.2%; P<.001) and was successful more often (27.4% vs 17.1%; P<.001) in the prior CABG group vs the non-prior CABG group. Technical success was lower in prior CABG patients (82.6% vs 87.9%; P<.01) with similar incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (3.4% vs 3%; P=.65), although in-hospital mortality was higher in the prior CABG group (2.4% vs 1.0%; P=.04). At 1-year follow-up, the composite endpoint of death, myocardial infarction, and revascularization was higher in prior CABG patients (21.79% vs 12.73%; hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.45; P<.001)., Conclusion: Compared with non-prior CABG patients, prior CABG patients undergoing CTO-PCI had lower technical success and higher incidence of acute and follow-up adverse cardiovascular events.

Background: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has significantly evolved in recent years., Methods: We compared the clinical, angiographic, and technical characteristics, as well as procedural outcomes of CTO-PCIs in a multicenter registry between the "early era" (2012-2016) and the "current era" (2017-2019)., Results: Current era patients more often had stage III or IV angina compared with early era patients (71% vs 66%, respectively; P=.03) and were less likely to undergo ad hoc CTO-PCI (13% vs 16%, respectively; P=.04). The J-CTO score was slightly lower in the current era patients vs the early era patients (2.3 ± 1.4 vs 2.5 ± 1.3, respectively; P=.04). Use of antegrade wire escalation increased in the current era (92% vs 83% in the early era patients; P<.001) whereas use of retrograde crossing decreased (29% vs 39% in the early era; P<.001) and antegrade/ dissection re-entry decreased (23% vs 32% in the early era; P<.001). Technical success rates (85% in the current era vs 86% in the early era; P=.69) and procedural success rates (83% in the current era vs 85% in the early era; P=.15) were similar, whereas the incidence of in-hospital major cardiovascular events decreased in the current era (2% vs 3% in the early era; P=.04)., Conclusions: During recent years, ad hoc CTO-PCI decreased along with decreasing use of retrograde crossing and antegrade dissection and re-entry. Technical and procedural success rates remained stable, whereas the incidence of in-hospital MACE decreased.

Background: Left main coronary artery (LMCA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study., Methods: We reviewed 4436 CTO-PCIs performed in 4340 patients between 2012 and 2018 at 25 sites. LMCA-CTO-PCI was performed in 20 cases (0.45%). We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of these cases., Results: Mean patient age was 68 ± 11 years and 65% were men. Most patients (85%) had undergone prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery and had a protected left main. Mean J-CTO score was 2.7 ± 1.3, mean PROGRESS-CTO score was 1.3 ± 1.1, and mean PROGRESS-CTO Complications score was 3.8 ± 1.9. Antegrade-wire escalation was the most common successful crossing strategy (50%), followed by retrograde crossing (30%) and antegrade dissection/re-entry (10%). Technical and procedural success rates were both 85%. One patient with failed LMCA-CTO-PCI had periprocedural myocardial infarction. Median procedure time was 178 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 123-250 minutes), median contrast volume was 190 mL (IQR, 133-339 mL), and patient air kerma radiation dose was 2.6 Gray (IQR, 1.3-3.9 Gray)., Conclusions: LMCA-CTO-PCI is infrequent, is performed mostly in patients with prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and is associated with good procedural outcomes.

Background: 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., Methods: 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., Results: 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., Conclusions: 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.

Objectives: 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., Methods: 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., Results: 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)., Conclusions: Guide-catheter extension rCART is increasingly being used for retrograde CTO crossing and is associated with similar success and MACE rates as traditional rCART.

Objectives: The effect of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on in-hospital outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study., Methods: 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., Results: 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)., Conclusions: 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.

Background: Retrograde percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of native coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) via left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft has received limited study., Methods and Results: We compared the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes of retrograde CTO-PCI through LIMA grafts vs other conduits in a contemporary multicenter CTO registry. The LIMA was used as the collateral channel in 20 of 990 retrograde CTO-PCIs (2.02%) performed at 18 United States centers. The mean age of the study patients was 69 ± 7 years and 95% were men. The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (55%). The mean J-CTO score in the LIMA group was high (3.45 ± 0.76). The technical success rates were 70% for retrograde PCI via LIMA graft vs 81.05% for retrograde via other conduits (P=.25), while procedural success rates were 70% for retrograde PCI via LIMA graft and 78.19% for retrograde via other conduits (P=.41). The incidence of major in-hospital complications was also similar between the LIMA and non-LIMA retrograde groups (5% vs 6%; P>.99). Use of guide-catheter extensions (40% vs 28%; P=.22), intravascular ultrasound (45% vs 31%; P=.20), and left ventricular assist devices (24% vs 10%; P=.08) was numerically higher in retrograde CTO-PCIs via LIMA grafts., Conclusions: Retrograde CTO-PCI is infrequently performed via LIMA grafts and is associated with similar success and major in-hospital complication rates as retrograde CTO-PCI performed via other conduits.

Objectives: We sought to determine the effect of age and sex on procedural outcomes and efficiency of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and outcomes of 1675 CTO-PCIs performed in 1644 patients between 2012 and 2016 at 15 United States centers., Results: Mean age was 65.3 ± 10 years and 1408 (86%) were men. Overall technical and procedural success rates were 88% and 87%, respectively. Increasing age was associated with more comorbidities (dyslipidemia, hypertension, prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery, prior stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and chronic lung disease) and more lesion calcification. As compared with the reference age of <65 years, age >75 years was independently associated with technical failure (odds ratio [OR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-4.28). Increasing age was also independently associated with the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.10-9.23 for 65-75 years and OR, 5.71; 95% CI, 1.89-19.60 for >75 years). Compared with men, women (n = 236; 14%) were older (66.8 ± 11.1 years vs 65.0 ± 9.8 years; P=.02), but had similar clinical characteristics and lower J-CTO scores (2.3 ± 1.3 vs 2.5 ± 1.2; P=.02). Although crude technical success rate was higher in women compared with men (92% vs 87%; P=.04), multivariable analysis did not show independent association between sex and technical failure (OR, men/women, 1.66; 95% CI, 0.86-3.50) or MACE (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.25-1.73)., Conclusions: Older age, but not sex, is associated with lower technical success and higher in-hospital complication rate for CTO-PCI. CTO-PCI is relatively infrequently attempted in women, despite high technical success and acceptable complication rates.

Objectives: We sought to determine the impact of proximal cap ambiguity on procedural techniques and outcomes for coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)., Methods: We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and outcomes of 1021 CTO-PCIs performed between 2012 and 2015 at 11 United States centers., Results: Proximal cap ambiguity was present in 31% of target lesions and was associated with increased clinical and angiographic complexity (prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery: 43% vs 33%; P=.01; moderate/severe calcification 66% vs 51%; P<.001) and lower technical success (85% vs 93%; P<.001) and procedural success (84% vs 91%; P=.01), but similar incidence of major adverse cardiac events (3.2% vs 2.9%; P=.77). A retrograde approach was more commonly utilized among cases with proximal cap ambiguity (68% vs 33%; P<.001), and was more likely to be the initial (39% vs 13%; P<.001) and successful approach (42% vs 20%; P<.001). Proximal cap ambiguity was associated with increased use of intravascular ultrasound (49% vs 36%; P=.01) and contrast (281 mL vs 250 mL; P<.001), higher air kerma radiation dose (4.0 Gy vs 3.0 Gy; P<.001), and longer procedure time (161 min vs 119 min; P<.001)., Conclusions: Proximal cap ambiguity is present in one-third of CTO-PCI target lesions and is associated with lower success rates, higher utilization of the retrograde approach, and lower procedural efficiency, but no significant difference in the incidence of major adverse cardiac events.