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Preprocedural coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can be useful in procedural planning for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).We examined the clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics and outcomes of cases with vs. without preprocedural CCTA in PROGRESS-CTO (NCT02061436). Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors.Of 7034 CTO PCI cases, preprocedural CCTA was used in 375 (5.3%) with increasing frequency over time. Patients with preprocedural CCTA had a higher prevalence of prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (39% vs. 27%, p 0.001) and angiographically unfavorable characteristics including higher prevalence of proximal cap ambiguity (52% vs. 33%, p 0.001) and moderate/severe calcification (59% vs. 41%, p 0.001) compared with those without CCTA. CCTA helped resolve proximal cap ambiguity in 27%, identified significant calcium not seen on diagnostic angiography in 18%, changed estimated CTO length by5 mm in 10%, and was performed as part of initial coronary artery disease work up in 19%. CCTA cases had higher J-CTO (2.6 ± 1.2 vs. 2.3 ± 1.3, p 0.001) and PROGRESS-CTO (1.3 ± 1.0 vs. 1.2 ± 1.0 p = 0.027) scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, cases with preprocedural CCTA had similar technical success (odds ratio [OR]: 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.67) and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (OR: 1.47, 95% CI, 0.72-3.00).Preprocedural CCTA was used in ~5% of CTO PCI cases. While CCTA may help with procedural planning, especially in complex cases, technical success and MACE were similar with or without CCTA.

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.

Resumen Introduccion y objetivos El algoritmo hibrido se diseno para ayudar en la seleccion de las estrategias de cruce inicial y siguientes en la intervencion coronaria percutanea (ICP) para la oclusion cronica total (OTC); sin embargo, el exito de la estrategia de inicio seleccionada se ha estudiado poco hasta ahora. Metodos Se estudio el impacto de la adherencia a la recomendacion del algoritmo hibrido para la seleccion de la tecnica de cruce inicial en 4.178 ICP de OTC en un registro multicentrico de gran tamano. Resultados La estrategia de cruce inicial coincidio con la recomendacion del algoritmo hibrido en 1.833 casos (44%). Los pacientes en el grupo concordante tuvieron una edad similar, pero un indice J-OTC menor (2,0 ± 1,4 frente a 2,8 ± 1,1; p Conclusiones La adherencia al algoritmo hibrido para la seleccion de la estrategia inicial de cruce se asocio con mayor exito de la ICP para la OTC y similar tasa de eventos cardiovasculares hospitalarios graves.

The prevalence and outcomes of patients who presented with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and underwent chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study.We examined the clinical characteristics and procedural outcomes of ACS patients who underwent CTO-PCI in the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of CTO Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO; NCT02061436).Of the 8826 patients who underwent CTO-PCI between 2012 and 2022 at 38 centers, 558 (6.3%) presented with ACS. ACS presentation was with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) in 54%, unstable angina in 33%, and ST-segment elevation MI in 6.5%. ACS patients were older (66 ± 11 years vs 64 ± 10 years; P.001) and had higher prevalence of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (48% vs 42%; P=.02), prior MI (52% vs 45%; P.01), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (49 ± 14% vs 51 ± 13%; P.01). While the PROGRESS-CTO score (1.4 ± 1.0 vs 1.2 ± 1.0; P.001) was higher in the ACS group, the J-CTO score was comparable (2.3 ± 1.2 vs 2.4 ± 1.3; P=.68). Technical success (88% vs 86%; P=.12) and the incidence of in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) (0.9% vs 2.1%; P=.06) and adverse events at 3-month follow-up (3.4% vs 7.2%; Kaplan-Meier log-rank P=.16) were similar between ACS and non-ACS patients, respectively.Approximately 6% of patients who underwent CTO-PCI presented with an ACS. Technical success, in-hospital MACE, and the incidence of adverse events up to 3 months were similar between patients who presented with vs without an ACS.

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.

The prevalence, treatment, and outcomes of balloon undilatable lesions encountered in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have received limited study.We examined the clinical characteristics and procedural outcomes of balloon undilatable lesions in the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of CTO Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO, NCT02061436).Of 6535 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2022, 558 (8.5%) lesions were balloon undilatable. In this subset, patients were older (mean age 67 ± 10 vs. 64 ± 10, p 0.001) and had higher prevalence of comorbidities: diabetes mellitus (54% vs. 40%, p 0.001), prior PCI (71% vs. 59%, p 0.001), prior myocardial infarction (52% vs. 45%, p = 0.003), and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (44% vs. 25%, p 0.001). The CTO lesion length was estimated to be 34 ± 23 mm, mean J-CTO score was 2.9 ± 1.1 and mean PROGRESS-CTO score was 1.4 ± 1.0. A cutting balloon was used in 27%, a scoring balloon in 15%, laser in 14%, rotational atherectomy in 28%, orbital atherectomy in 10%, intravascular lithotripsy in 1% and other modalities/approaches in 5%. Balloon undilatable lesions had lower technical success (90.9% vs. 93.8%, p = 0.007) and higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (composite of in-hospital death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, re-PCI, emergency CABG, and pericardiocentesis) (5.0% versus 1.3%, p 0.001).Approximately 1 in 12 CTO (8.5%) lesions are balloon undilatable. Treatment of balloon undilatable lesions is associated with lower technical success and higher in-hospital MACE.

Background: The relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the success and safety of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. Methods: We examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of CTO PCI in the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of CTO Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO) after stratifying patients by LVEF (≤35%, 36%–49%, and ≥50%). Results: A total of 7827 CTO PCI procedures with LVEF data were included. Mean age was 64 ± 10 years, 81% were men, 43% had diabetes mellitus, 61% had prior PCI, 45% had prior myocardial infarction, and 29% had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Technical success was similar in the three LVEF strata: 85%, 86%, and 87%, p = 0.391 for LVEF ≤35%, 36%–49%, and ≥50%, respectively. In-hospital mortality was higher in lower LVEF patients (1.1%, 0.4%, and 0.3%, respectively, p = 0.001). In-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were numerically higher in lower EF patients (2.7%, 2.1%, and 1.9%, p = 0.271). At a median follow-up of 2 months (interquartile range: 19-350 days), patients with lower LVEF continued to have higher mortality (4.9%, 3.2%, and 1.4%, p < 0.001) while the MACE rates were similar (9.3%, 9.6%, and 7.4%, p = 0.172). Conclusion: CTO PCI can be performed with high technical success in patients with reduced LVEF but is associated with higher in-hospital and post-discharge mortality.

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.

Objectives This study examined the frequency and outcomes of radial access for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Radial access improves the safety of PCI, but its role in CTO PCI remains controversial. Methods 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. Results 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 Conclusions 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)

Introduction: Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been advancing due to improvement of equipment, operator experience, and techniques. Methods: We examined contemporary outcomes of CTO PCI by analyzing the clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics of 7,031 CTO interventions performed in 6,984 patients at 35 participating centers between 2012 and 2020. Results: Mean age was 64.5 ± 10 years and 82% of the patients were men. The patients had high prevalence of comorbidities, such as diabetes (42%), prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (29%), prior myocardial infarction (45%), and prior heart failure (29%). The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (53%), followed by the left anterior descending artery (26%), and left circumflex artery (20%). The mean J-CTO and PROGRESS scores were 2.41 ± 1.28 and 1.09 ± 1.01, respectively. The overall technical and procedural success rates were 85.9% and 83.8% and the rate of in-hospital major cardiac adverse events (MACE) was 2.06%. Technical success and procedural success rates were lower for higher values of J-CTO and PROGRESS scores, and MACE rate was higher ( Figure 1 ). The final successful crossing strategy was antegrade wire escalation in 53.7%, retrograde in 19.9%, and antegrade dissection reentry in 14.6%. The overall median air kerma radiation dose, contrast volume, procedure and fluoroscopy time were 2.30 (1.30, 3.90) Gray, 225 (160, 305) ml, 115 (75, 170) and 43 (26, 70) minutes, respectively. Conclusions: Using a combination of crossing strategies, high success and acceptable complication rates can be achieved in CTO PCI among various centers and patient populations.

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.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.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).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.

Summary Background Catheter-based renal denervation has significantly reduced blood pressure in previous studies. Following a positive pilot trial, the SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED (SPYRAL Pivotal) trial was designed to assess the efficacy of renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications. Methods In this international, prospective, single-blinded, sham-controlled trial, done at 44 study sites in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, the UK, and the USA, hypertensive patients with office systolic blood pressure of 150 mm Hg to less than 180 mm Hg were randomly assigned 1:1 to either a renal denervation or sham procedure. The primary efficacy endpoint was baseline-adjusted change in 24-h systolic blood pressure and the secondary efficacy endpoint was baseline-adjusted change in office systolic blood pressure from baseline to 3 months after the procedure. We used a Bayesian design with an informative prior, so the primary analysis combines evidence from the pilot and Pivotal trials. The primary efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02439749 . Findings From June 25, 2015, to Oct 15, 2019, 331 patients were randomly assigned to either renal denervation (n=166) or a sham procedure (n=165). The primary and secondary efficacy endpoints were met, with posterior probability of superiority more than 0·999 for both. The treatment difference between the two groups for 24-h systolic blood pressure was −3·9 mm Hg (Bayesian 95% credible interval −6·2 to −1·6) and for office systolic blood pressure the difference was −6·5 mm Hg (−9·6 to −3·5). No major device-related or procedural-related safety events occurred up to 3 months. Interpretation SPYRAL Pivotal showed the superiority of catheter-based renal denervation compared with a sham procedure to safely lower blood pressure in the absence of antihypertensive medications. Funding Medtronic.

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.

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.

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.

The impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for stent optimization on long-term outcomes in Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has received limited study. We examined the outcomes of CTO PCI with and without IVUS use for stent optimization in 942 CTO PCIs

Background Frequent laboratory testing may be necessary at times for critically ill patients. However, the practice of indiscriminate laboratory test ordering is common. Purpose The purpose of this quality improvement project was to assess the effectiveness of the acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) in reducing the number of unwarranted laboratory tests ordered for ICU patients. To determine whether the presence of an ACNP would make a difference, an ACNP was present on daily ICU multidisciplinary rounds to facilitate the discussion of the laboratory testing needs for each patient for the following 24-hour period. Conclusions Eighty-one patients were enrolled in the project, 41 in the comparison and 40 in the intervention group. No significant differences were noted between the two groups. The project demonstrated that although there was an increase in tests ordered for the intervention group, the increase was brought about by an increase in specific individual tests rather than an increase in panels of laboratory tests. A reduction in patient cost was observed for the number of tests ordered. No increase in adverse events was noted. Implications for practice Acute care nurse practitioner presence on multidisciplinary rounds may be an effective method to change the practice toward the ordering of tests based on clinical indication.

The use of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) for retrograde crossing during chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. We examined 1,615 retrograde CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2019 at 25 centers. We compared the clinical, angiographic, and

Despite an increased knowledge of risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease, it remains nearly endemic in Western society. Despite the high penetrance, only a fraction of those with the disease progress to develop a frank myocardial infarction (MI). Over the past decade, it has become clear that inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of MI. Inflammatory arterial disease therefore may be a better term for the subset of patients that develop the serious adverse consequences related to the rupture of the intracoronary plaque. Using newer molecular techniques such as high-throughput SNP analysis, genome-wide scanning, and enriched pedigree analysis, many of the specific mechanisms underlying the inflammatory milieu involved in this transition have been elucidated and may help identify those at risk for the adverse events associated with atherosclerotic disease.

This study examined the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in 4 candidate genes in a cohort of subjects with aspirin resistance. Aspirin resistance was significantly associated with genetic variation in the platelet surface adenosine 5-diphosphate receptor gene P2Y1.

Mitral valve endocarditis typically results in mitral regurgitation. However, endocarditis leading to functional mitral stenosis is uncommon and, when present, fungal organisms are typically implicated. Thus, obstructive-type bacterial endocarditis due to large vegetations blocking the mitral valve orifice is a rare occurrence, with approximately 20 reported cases in the literature. We report on two patients with bacterial endocarditis and severe functional mitral stenosis requiring emergent surgery. Additionally, this is the first report of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus causing endocarditis and functional mitral stenosis. The discussion emphasizes the hemodynamic instability of these patients and need for early surgical intervention.

A 50-year-old African American woman presented with bilateral lower extremity pain, a history of falls during the past several months, and personality and behavior changes. She had been in good health until approximately 5 months before admission, when she began to fall with increasing frequency, often while going down a flight of stairs. She described these falls as her "legs giving out" and feeling very heavy and unsteady. There was no head trauma or loss of consciousness. Her daughter noticed that her gait had become somewhat unsteady during the last several months. Her family also noted a change in her personality at this time. Previously, she had been a very tidy person who took great care with her appearance, who was working as a customer service representative. However, she had become less social and very withdrawn. She had been observed putting on dirty clothes after showering, as well as eating constantly. The patient denied any fevers, chills, night sweats, headaches, vision changes, or tinnitus. She also denied any rashes, muscle pain, or intolerance to heat or cold. There was no history of seizure disorder or depression. Her past medical history was notable only for hypertension and being a passenger in a motor vehicle crash 1 year before admission. She denied any alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drug use, and had no travel history other than coming to the United States, as she was originally from Trinidad. On physical examination, she was a moderately obese African American woman with a flat affect, psychomotor slowing, and alopecia of the scalp. She was alert and oriented to person, place, and time, but had a score of 26 out of 30 on the Mini-Mental State Examination. She lost points only for recall; she had no difficulty with serial 7s. Her cranial nerves were intact and her speech was fluent, although sparse, and she did not make any paraphasic errors. Her muscle strength was 5/5 in both the upper and lower extremities. Reflexes were 2+ in the upper extremities and 1+ in the lower extremities, and toes were downgoing bilaterally. She had intact sensation to light touch and pinprick, but markedly diminished proprioception of her lower extremities bilaterally. She had a wide-based gait with a positive Romberg sign and was markedly ataxic. Rectal examination yielded a positive guaiac test with brown stool, normal tone, and no masses. The remainder of the physical examination was normal. Laboratory studies revealed pancytopenia with a hematocrit of 22.7% and a mean corpuscular volume of 118.2 fL. A peripheral smear that was performed on admission, prior to transfusion, revealed macrocytic red cells and hypersegmented neutrophils.

Coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction are complex traits in which there has been recent research to identify the principal genes that engender susceptibility or provide protection. Although there has been exceptional progress in the technology, which now allows genotyping of hundreds of thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each individual, there remains a pattern of inconsistency in the studies performed to date, in part owing to the difficulties in defining cases and controls. In this paper, salient issues to facilitate research in this important field are reviewed.