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Contains fulltext : 249994.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) The right ventricle (RV) is frequently involved in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the culprit or concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is located in the right coronary artery (RCA). We investigated RV function recovery in STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO. In EXPLORE, STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no CTO-PCI. We analyzed 174 EXPLORE patients with serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging RV data (baseline and 4-month follow-up), divided into three groups: CTO-RCA (CTO in RCA, culprit in non-RCA; n = 89), IRA-RCA (infarct related artery [IRA] in RCA, CTO in non-RCA; n = 56), and no-RCA (culprit and CTO not in RCA; n = 29). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV ejection fraction (RVEF), RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) were measured. We found that RV strain and TAPSE improved in IRA-RCA and CTO-RCA (irrespective of CTO-PCI) at follow-up, but not in no-RCA. Only RV FWLS was different among groups at baseline, which was lower in IRA-RCA than no-RCA (- 26.0 ± 8.3% versus - 31.0 ± 6.4%, p = 0.006). Baseline RVEF, RV end-diastolic volume and TAPSE were associated with RVEF at 4 months. RV function parameters were not predictive of 4 year mortality, although RV GLS showed additional predictive value for New York Heart Association Classification > 1 at 4 months. In conclusion, RV parameters significantly improved in patients with acute or chronic RCA occlusion, but not in no-RCA patients. RV FWLS was the only RV parameter able to discriminate between acute ischemic and non-ischemic myocardium. Moreover, RV GLS was independently predictive for functional status.

Objectives Global left ventricular (LV) function is routinely used to assess cardiac function; however, myocardial strain is able to identify more subtle dysfunction. We aimed to determine the recovery and prognostic value of featuring tracking (FT) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) strain in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO). Methods In the randomized EXPLORE trial, there was no significant difference in global LV function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the CTO, compared with no-CTO PCI, post-STEMI. In the current study, we included 200 of the 302 EXPLORE patients with a baseline CMR, of which 180 also had 4-month follow-up (serial) CMR. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was calculated from 3 long-axis views. Global circumferential strain (GCS) and segmental strain were calculated from 3 short-axis views (basal, mid, and apical). Results Global strain significantly improved at 4 months (GLS ∆ − 1.8 ± 4.3%, p

Objective To evaluate predictors of procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTOs) in a non-infarct-related artery following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and demonstrate the effect on left ventricular functionality (LVF), infarct size (IS), and pro-arrhythmic electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. Background Predictors of unsuccessful revascularization of a CTO are numerous, although following STEMI, these are lacking. Besides, effects of failed CTO PCI (FPCI) on the myocardium are unknown. Methods This is a subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial, in which 302 STEMI patients with a concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO PCI (n = 147) or no-CTO PCI (NPCI, n = 154). For the purpose of this subanalysis, we divided patients into successful CTO PCI (SPCI, n = 106), FPCI (n = 41), and NPCI (n = 154) groups. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and angiographic data were derived from the EXPLORE database, combined with ECG parameters. To gain more insight, all outcomes were compared with patients that did not undergo CTO PCI. Results In multivariate regression, only CTO lesion length >20 mm was an independent predictor of procedural failure (OR 3.31 [1.49-7.39]). No significant differences in median left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, IS, and the pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters such as QT-dispersion, QTc-time, and TpTe-intervals were seen between the SPCI and FPCI groups at 4 months follow-up. Conclusion This subanalysis of the EXPLORE trial has demonstrated that a CTO lesion length >20 mm is an independent predictor of CTO PCI failure, whereas procedural failure did not lead to any adverse effects on LVF nor pro-arrhythmic ECG parameters.

A chronic total occlusion (CTO) may increase the risk of appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy. Therefore, we evaluated all patients who received an ICD during 5-year follow-up in the EXPLORE trial. Of 22 ICD patients, twelve were randomized to CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 10 to no revascularizaton of the CTO. Appropriate ICD therapy occurred in 1 patient in the CTO-PCI group. Compared with the 280 non-ICD patients in the EXPLORE trial, the 22 ICD patients had higher risk of adverse cardiac events (32% vs 10%; P.01) and death (18% vs 6%; P=.02). These results suggest that ICD patients with CTO are at risk of poor outcomes; however, their benefit from ICD implantation is questionable.

Aims: The aim of this report of the AIDA trial is to provide full two-year outcomes for the primary endpoint of target vessel failure (TVF) and an update on device thrombosis. Methods and results: AIDA was a single-blind, multicentre, investigator-initiated, non-inferiority, randomised (1:1) clinical trial. At complete two-year follow-up, the primary endpoint of TVF had occurred in 100 patients in the Absorb BVS arm versus 90 patients in the XIENCE EES arm (HR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.94-1.49; psuperiority=0.436). Estimated two-year Kaplan-Meier event rates of TVF were 11.0% and 9.9%, respectively (95% CI: -0.9%-3.0%; pnon-inferiority=0.003). Definite or probable device thrombosis at two years occurred in 30 patients in the Absorb BVS arm and in eight patients in the XIENCE EES arm. Kaplan- Meier estimates of device thrombosis were 3.3% in the Absorb BVS arm and 0.9% in the XIENCE EES arm (HR 5.22, 95% CI: 2.00-13.59; p

This study sought to compare long-term clinical outcome in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a concomitant chronic total occlusion (CTO) with well-developed versus poorly developed collaterals toward the CTO. In STEMI patients, presence of a CTO is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. CTOs are often (partially) perfused by collateral vessels. Therefore, when the infarct-related artery (IRA) is the main donor vessel for the collateral blood supply of the CTO, infarct size may increase significantly. Well-developed collaterals to the infarct related vessel have been associated with improved clinical outcome after STEMI. However, the impact of well-developed collaterals toward a concomitant CTO in STEMI patients is unknown. Consecutive STEMI patients with a CTO in a non-IRA presenting for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were divided according to the presence of angiographic, well-developed (grade 2 to 3) or poorly developed collaterals (grade 0 to 1). Between 2000 and 2012 we included 413 STEMI patients with a single concomitant CTO. Well-developed collaterals to the CTO were present in 53%. Associated with poorly developed collaterals to the CTO were cardiogenic shock (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11 to 3.07; p = 0.02), CTO located in the left circumflex artery (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.00 to 3.43; p = 0.05), CTO diameter ≤2.5 mm (HR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.07 to 4.12; p = 0.03), and CTO tapering (HR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.85; p

Aims We evaluated the impact of the complexity of coronary disease assessed by SYNTAX score (SXscore) on the clinical outcomes in the AIDA trial. Methods and results In the AIDA trial, we compared Absorb versus Xience in routine clinical practice. Clinical outcomes were stratified by SXscore tertiles: SXlow (SXscore≤8), SXmid (SXscore >8 and ≤15) and SXhigh (>15). SXscore was available in 1661 of the 1845 (90%) patients. Event rate of TVF was numerically lower in Absorb compared to Xience (3.7% versus 5.6%; p=0.257) in the Sxlow tertile, numerically higher in Absorb in in the Sxmid tertile (11.4% versus 9.3%, p=0.421) and similar in the Sxhigh tertile (15.5% versus. 15.6%; p=0.960) . The rates of definite/probable device thrombosis in Absorb versus Xience were significantly higher in the Sxmid tertile (3.3% versus 0.8%, p=0.043) and in the SXhigh tertile (3.7% versus 0.8%, p=0.006) Patients treated with Absorb and a SXscore>8 had numerically, but non significantly, higher rates of myocardial revascularization and revascularization rates when compared to Xience. Conclusions We found no significantly different rates of TVF between Absorb and Xience patients. Absorb treated patients in the Sxmid and SXhigh tertile, however, had an increased risk of device thrombosis when compared to Xience treated patients. The rates of device thrombosis in the SXlow tertile, while still higher for Absorb, but are more acceptable than in SXmid and SXhigh score tertiles.

Background Despite advances in treatment, mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high. Short-term mechanical circulatory support devices acutely improve hemodynamic conditions. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether a new percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS) device (Impella CP, Abiomed, Danvers, Massachusetts) decreases 30-day mortality when compared with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with severe shock complicating AMI. Methods In a randomized, prospective, open-label, multicenter trial, 48 patients with severe CS complicating AMI were assigned to pMCS (n = 24) or IABP (n = 24). Severe CS was defined as systolic blood pressure Results At 30 days, mortality in patients treated with either IABP or pMCS was similar (50% and 46%, respectively; hazard ratio with pMCS: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.42 to 2.18; p = 0.92). At 6 months, mortality rates for both pMCS and IABP were 50% (hazard ratio: 1.04; 95% confidence interval: 0.47 to 2.32; p = 0.923). Conclusions In this explorative randomized controlled trial involving mechanically ventilated patients with CS after AMI, routine treatment with pMCS was not associated with reduced 30-day mortality compared with IABP.

Background In 10% to 15% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), concurrent coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non–infarct-related artery is present and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Objectives The EXPLORE (Evaluating Xience and Left Ventricular Function in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Occlusions After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial evaluated whether patients with STEMI and concurrent CTO in a non–infarct-related artery benefit from additional percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of CTO shortly after primary PCI. Methods From November 2007 through April 2015, we enrolled 304 patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI and had concurrent CTO in 14 centers in Europe and Canada. A total of 150 patients were randomly assigned to early PCI of the CTO (CTO PCI), and 154 patients were assigned to conservative treatment without PCI of the CTO (no CTO PCI). Primary outcomes were left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging after 4 months. Results The investigator-reported procedural success rate in the CTO PCI arm of the trial was 77%, and the adjudicated success rate was 73%. At 4 months, mean LVEF did not differ between the 2 groups (44.1 ± 12.2% vs. 44.8 ± 11.9%, respectively; p = 0.60). Mean LVEDV at 4 months was 215.6 ± 62.5 ml in the CTO PCI arm versus 212.8 ± 60.3 ml in the no–CTO PCI arm (p = 0.70). Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with CTO located in the left anterior descending coronary artery who were randomized to the CTO PCI strategy had significantly higher LVEF compared with patients randomized to the no–CTO PCI strategy (47.2 ± 12.3% vs. 40.4 ± 11.9%; p = 0.02). There were no differences in terms of 4-month major adverse coronary events (5.4% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.25). Conclusions Additional CTO PCI within 1 week after primary PCI for STEMI was feasible and safe. In patients with STEMI and concurrent CTO, we did not find an overall benefit for CTO PCI in terms of LVEF or LVEDV. The finding that early CTO PCI in the left anterior descending coronary artery subgroup was beneficial warrants further investigation. (Evaluating Xience and Left Ventricular Function in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Occlusions After ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction; NTR1108)

Objectives To assess the effect of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO PCI) on ventricular ectopy (VE) and symptomatology during exercise testing. Background During exercise, the hypoxic myocardium in the CTO-territory can act as a substrate for VE and could lead to anginal complaints. Methods In the EXPLORE-trial, 302 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)-patients were randomized to CTO PCI or no-CTO PCI. For this sub-study, we analyzed all available exercise electrocardiograms (X-ECGs) at 4 months follow-up on symptoms and electrocardiographic parameters. Results A total of 155 X-ECGs were available, 80 in the CTO PCI group (51.6%) and 75 in the no-CTO PCI group (48.4%). There were no differences regarding exercised time, achieved endurance, ST-deviation nor maximum heart-rate. The percentage of patients experiencing chest-pain during exercise was lower in the CTO PCI group (0% vs. 8.5%, p = .03). Also, there was a trend towards a higher maximum systolic blood pressure (SBP, 185 mmHg vs. 175, p = .09). No difference in VE was found between randomization groups, but patients with successful CTO PCI had a higher frequency of VE, compared to failed and no-CTO PCI (26% vs. 8%, p = .02). This did not result in higher frequencies of sustained ventricular arrhythmias or mortality. Conclusion In conclusion, in STEMI-patients, CTO PCI is associated with a small reduction of chest-pain during exercise and tended to be associated with an increase of maximum SBP. The observation that successful CTO PCI was associated with more VE during exercise, compared with failed/no-CTO PCI needs further exploration.

Background Previous studies report conflicting results about a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a chronic total coronary occlusion ( CTO ). We aimed to investigate this association in a large cohort of implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients with long‐term follow‐up. Methods and Results All consecutive patients from 1992 onwards who underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation for ischemic cardiomyopathy at the Leiden University Medical Center were evaluated. Coronary angiograms were reviewed for the presence of a CTO . The occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias and survival status at follow‐up were compared between patients with and patients without a CTO . A total of 722 patients constitute the study cohort (age 66±11 years; 84% males; 74% primary prevention, median left ventricular ejection fraction 30% [first–third quartile: 25–37], 44% received a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator). At baseline, 240 patients (33%) had a CTO , and the CTO s were present for at least 44 (2–127) months. The median follow‐up duration was 4 (2–6) years. On long‐term follow‐up, CTO patients had a higher crude appropriate device therapy rate (37% versus 27%, P =0.010) and a lower crude survival rate (51% versus 67%, P CTO . Corrected for baseline characteristics including left ventricular ejection fraction, the presence of a CTO was an independent predictor for appropriate device therapy. Conclusions The presence of a CTO in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients was associated with more appropriate device therapy and worse prognosis at long‐term follow‐up. Further investigation is warranted regarding a potential beneficial effect of CTO revascularization on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.

ObjectiveThe impact on cardiac function of collaterals towards a concomitant chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has not been investigated yet. Therefore, we have evaluated the impact of well-developed collaterals compared with poorly developed collaterals to a concomitant CTO in STEMI.Methods and resultsIn the EXPLORE trial, patients with STEMI and a concomitant CTO were randomised to either CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no-CTO PCI. Collateral grades were scored angiographically using the Rentrop grade classification. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 4 months were measured using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Well-developed collaterals (Rentrop grades 2–3) to the CTO were present in 162 (54%) patients; these patients had a significantly higher LVEF at 4 months (46.2±11.4% vs 42.1±12.7%, p=0.004) as well as a trend for a lower LVEDV (208.2±55.7 mL vs 222.6±68.5 mL, p=0.054) when compared with patients with poorly developed collaterals to the CTO. There was no significant difference in the total amount of scar in the two groups. Event rates were statistically comparable between patients with well-developed collaterals and poorly developed collaterals to the CTO at long-term follow-up.ConclusionsIn patients with STEMI and a concomitant CTO, the presence of well-developed collaterals to a concomitant CTO is associated with a better LVEF at 4 months. However, this effect on LVEF did not translate into improvement in clinical outcome. Therefore, the presence of well-developed collaterals is important, but should not solely guide in the clinical decision-making process regarding any additional revascularisation of a concomitant CTO in patients with STEMI.Clinical trial registrationNTR1108.

Introduction Chronic total coronary occlusions (CTOs) have been associated with a higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias compared to patients without a CTO. We evaluated the effect of CTO revascularization on electrocardiographic (ECG) variables. Methods We studied a selection of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with a concomitant CTO enrolled in the EXPLORE trial. ECG variables and cardiac function were analysed at baseline and at 4 months follow-up. Results Patients were randomized to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of their CTO (n = 77) or to no-CTO PCI (n = 81). At follow-up, median QT dispersion was significantly lower in the CTO PCI group compared to the no-CTO PCI group (46 ms [33–58] vs. 54 ms [37–68], P = 0.043). No independent association was observed between ECG variables and cardiac function. Conclusion Revascularization of a CTO after STEMI significantly shortened QT dispersion at 4 months follow-up. These findings support the hypothesis that CTO revascularization reduces the pro-arrhythmic substrate in CTO patients.

BackgroundDuring primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is found in 10% of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Long-term benefits of CTO-PCI have been suggested; however, randomised data are lacking. Our aim was to determine mid-term and long-term clinical outcome of CTO-PCI versus CTO-No PCI in patients with STEMI with a concurrent CTO.MethodsThe Evaluating Xience and left ventricular function in PCI on occlusiOns afteR STEMI (EXPLORE) was a multicentre randomised trial that included 302 patients with STEMI after successful primary PCI with a concurrent CTO. Patients were randomised to either CTO-PCI or CTO-No PCI. The primary end point of the current study was occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE): cardiac death, coronary artery bypass grafting and MI. Other end points were 1-year left ventricular function (LVF); LV-ejection fraction and LV end-diastolic volume and angina status.ResultsThe median long-term follow-up was 3.9 (2.1–5.0) years. MACE was not significantly different between both arms (13.5% vs 12.3%, HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.98; P=0.93). Cardiac death was more frequent in the CTO-PCI arm (6.0% vs 1.0%, P=0.02) with no difference in all-cause mortality (12.9% vs 6.2%, HR 2.07, 95% CI 0.84 to 5.14; P=0.11). One-year LVF did not differ between both arms. However, there were more patients with freedom of angina in the CTO-PCI arm at 1 year (94% vs 87%, P=0.03).ConclusionsIn this randomised trial involving patients with STEMI with a concurrent CTO, CTO-PCI was not associated with a reduction in long-term MACE compared to CTO-No PCI. One-year LVF was comparable between both treatment arms. The finding that there were more patients with freedom of angina after CTO-PCI at 1-year follow-up needs further investigation.Clinical trial registrationEXPLORE trial number NTR1108 www.trialregister.nl.

Background Observational studies suggest that in patients with a CTO successful recanalization is associated with better clinical outcome. This could be related to a reduction in the occurrence of arrhythmias, which may result from modifications of the hibernating myocardium in a CTO region. Methods and results We aimed to evaluate the effect of CTO PCI on electrophysiological parameters, and conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched. Titles and abstracts identified by the search strategy were independently screened by two investigators. Data were extracted and used for meta-analyses where possible. In total, eight studies incorporating 467 patients were included in this review, evaluating the effect of successful CTO PCI on various ECG parameters. Three studies showed a significant decrease in mean QT dispersion of 17.46 ms [95% CI 10.62–24.30] after successful CTO PCI. QTc dispersion also decreased significantly, with a mean decrease of 18.74 ms [95% CI 11.53–25.94]. In one trial a significant decrease in Tp-e interval in leads V2 and V5, and a significant decrease in Tp-e/QT ratio in leads V2 and V5 post-CTO PCI were observed. Conclusions This first systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that successful CTO PCI is associated with an immediate decrease in ECG parameters that reflect heterogeneity in depolarization and repolarization, which could lead to a reduction in the risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We raise the hypothesis that hibernating myocardium in a CTO region may not be as deeply “in sleep” as one would assume.

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), presence of a chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) is associated with a worse prognosis. The presence of well-developed collateral vessels towards a concomitant CTO has been associated with improved outcomes [(1)][1]. In the

BACKGROUND Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds were developed to overcome the shortcomings of drug-eluting stents in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We performed an investigator-initiated, randomized trial to compare an everolimus-eluting bioresorbable scaffold with an everolimus-eluting metallic stent in the context of routine clinical practice. METHODS We randomly assigned 1845 patients undergoing PCI to receive either a bioresorbable vascular scaffold (924 patients) or a metallic stent (921 patients). The primary end point was target-vessel failure (a composite of cardiac death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or target-vessel revascularization). The data and safety monitoring board recommended early reporting of the study results because of safety concerns. This report provides descriptive information on end-point events. RESULTS The median follow-up was 707 days. Target-vessel failure occurred in 105 patients in the scaffold group and in 94 patients in the stent group (2-year cumulative event rates, 11.7% and 10.7%, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85 to 1.48; P = 0.43); event rates were based on Kaplan-Meier estimates in time-to-event analyses. Cardiac death occurred in 18 patients in the scaffold group and in 23 patients in the stent group (2-year cumulative event rates, 2.0% and 2.7%, respectively), target-vessel myocardial infarction occurred in 48 patients in the scaffold group and in 30 patients in the stent group (2-year cumulative event rates, 5.5% and 3.2%), and target-vessel revascularization occurred in 76 patients in the scaffold group and in 65 patients in the stent group (2-year cumulative event rates, 8.7% and 7.5%). Definite or probable device thrombosis occurred in 31 patients in the scaffold group as compared with 8 patients in the stent group (2-year cumulative event rates, 3.5% vs. 0.9%; hazard ratio, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.78 to 8.42; P

Aims Several studies have evaluated the impact of a CTO on short- and long-term mortality in STEMI patients. It has been speculated that the adverse effect on prognosis could differ per coronary location. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the long-term prognosis of STEMI patients differs according to the coronary location of the CTO. Methods and results Between 2000 and 2012, a total of 480 STEMI patients with a CTO in a non-infarct-related artery were included. The primary outcome for the present analysis was three-year all-cause mortality, evaluating the impact of the coronary CTO and infarct location. Four hundred and thirteen patients had a single CTO in a non-infarct-related artery, whereas 67 patients had more than one CTO and in this group mortality was higher. In patients with a single CTO, the highest risk of mortality was observed when the culprit lesion was located in the LAD or proximal LCX or when the CTO lesion was located in the proximal LAD. Conclusions We previously reported that STEMI patients with a CTO have a worse prognosis than STEMI patients without a CTO. We now show that, in these patients, LAD or proximal LCX location for the culprit lesion, or proximal LAD location for the CTO lesion, is associated with the highest risk. As a result, almost all CTO patients are at increased risk for mortality due to the combination of the culprit and CTO artery location.

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with a concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO), the EXPLORE (Evaluating Xience and Left Ventricular Function in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Occlusions After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) trial (n = 302) was the first

Previous studies report conflicting results about a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in patients with a chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO). We aimed to investigate this association in a large cohort of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients with long-term follow-up

The field of percutaneous coronary intervention of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO PCI) is highly dynamic. This is mainly illustrated by the large number of technical advances that have propelled success rates of CTO PCI from 60–70% to as high as >90% in recent (selected) case series (1). However, the rationale for performing CTO PCI is currently largely based on observational data and untested hypotheses. Observational studies have suggested a reduction in the need for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), a reduced incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, and even reduced mortality after successful CTO PCI (2-6). Further hypothesis-generating research was recently published by our group in the form of a meta-analysis of observational studies investigating the evolution of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV) after CTO PCI (7). This study indicated a significant increase in LVEF of 4.44% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.52–5.35%, P

The EXPLORE trial studied the impact on Left Ventricular Function (LVF) of additional early PCI of a concurrent chronic total occlusion in post STEMI patients, compared to no early PCI. No difference was observed between both arms. However, previous observational data consistently showed an

Background Although echocardiography is used as a first line imaging modality, its accuracy to detect acute and chronic myocardial infarction (MI) in relation to infarct characteristics as assessed with late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) is not well described. Methods One-hundred-forty-one echocardiograms performed in 88 first acute ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients, 2 (IQR1-4) days (n = 61) and 102 (IQR92-112) days post-MI (n = 80), were pooled with echocardiograms of 36 healthy controls. 61 acute and 80 chronic echocardiograms were available for analysis (53 patients had both acute and chronic echocardiograms). Two experienced echocardiographers, blinded to clinical and CMR data, randomly evaluated all 177 echocardiograms for segmental wall motion abnormalities (SWMA). This was compared with LGE-CMR determined infarct characteristics, performed 104 ± 11 days post-MI. Enhancement on LGE-CMR matched the infarct-related artery territory in all patients (LAD 31%, LCx 12% and RCA 57%). Results The sensitivity of echocardiography to detect acute MI was 78.7% and 61.3% for chronic MI; specificity was 80.6%. Undetected MI were smaller, less transmural, and less extensive (6% [IQR3-12] vs. 15% [IQR9-24], 50 ± 14% vs. 61 ± 15%, 7 ± 3 vs. 9 ± 3 segments, p p p = 0.03). After multivariate analysis, LVEF and infarct size were the strongest independent predictors of detecting chronic MI (OR 0.78 [95%CI 0.68-0.88], p p = 0.06, respectively). Increasing infarct transmurality was associated with increasing SWMA (p Conclusions In patients presenting with STEMI, and thus a high likelihood of SWMA, the sensitivity of echocardiography to detect SWMA was higher in the acute than the chronic phase. Undetected MI were smaller, less extensive and less transmural, and associated with non-anterior localization and higher LVEF. Further work is needed to assess the diagnostic accuracy in patients with non-STEMI.

controls. The infarct-related artery (IRA) was the LAD, LCx and RCA in 31%, 12%, and 57% of patients, respectively. All patients showed hyperenhancement on DECMR matching the IRA territory. The median infarct size was 11% (IQR 5-19) with a mean infarct transmurality of 57±16%. The sensitivity of echocardiography to detect SWMA was 80.3% in the acute, and 65.0% in the chronic phase; the specificity was 80.6%. In patients with unrecognized MI, infarcts were smaller (6% [IQR 3-12] vs. 15% [IQR 9-23], p