Procedural Time and Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) can be lengthy procedures. We sought to investigate the effect of procedural time on CTO PCI outcomes. We examined the procedural time required for the various steps of CTO PCI in 6,442 CTO PCIs at 40 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022. The mean and median procedure times were 129 ± 76 and 112 minutes, respectively, with no significant change over time. The median times from access to wire insertion, guidewire manipulation time, and post crossing were 20, 32, and 53 minutes, respectively. Lesions crossed in <30 minutes were less complex, as reflected by lower Japanese CTO score (1.89 ± 1.19, p <0.001) than lesions that were not successfully crossed (2.88 ± 1.22) and lesions that were crossed in ≥30 minutes (2.85 ± 1.13). The likelihood of successful crossing if crossing was not achieved after 30, 90, and 180 minutes were a 76.7%, 60.7%, and 42.7%, respectively. The parameters independently associated with ≥30 minutes guidewire manipulation time in patients with a primary antegrade approach included left anterior descending target vessel, proximal cap ambiguity, blunt/no stump, occlusion length, previous failed attempt, medium/severe calcification, and medium/severe tortuosity. The mean duration of CTO PCI is approximately 2 hours (∼20% of time for access to wire insertion, ∼30% wire manipulation time, and ∼50% postwiring time). Guidewire crossing time was shorter in less complex lesions and in cases without complications.

Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention After a Previous Failed Attempt

The impact of a previous failure on procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 9,393 patients who underwent 9,560 CTO PCIs at 42 United States and non-United States centers between 2012 and 2022. A total of 1,904 CTO lesions (20%) had a previous failed PCI attempt. Patients who underwent reattempt CTO PCI were more likely to have a family history of coronary artery disease (37% vs 31%, p <0.001) and dyslipidemia (87.9% vs 84.3%, p <0.001) but were less likely to have heart failure (25.1% vs 29.5%; p <0.001) and cerebrovascular disease (8.7% vs 10.4%, p = 0.04). Patients with previous failure had a higher Japanese CTO (3.33 ± 1.16 vs 2.12 ± 1.19, p <0.001) score and required longer procedure (120 vs 111 minutes, p <0.001) and fluoroscopy (46.9 vs 40.4 minutes, p <0.001) times and higher air kerma radiation dose (2.3 vs 2.1 gray, p = 0.013). Technical success rates (84.3% vs 86.5%, p = 0.011) were lower in patients with a previous failure compared with patients who underwent first-attempt CTO PCI with no significant difference in in-hospital major adverse cardiac events. After adjusting for potential confounders, a previous failure was not associated with technical failure. Operators performing >30 CTO PCIs annually were more likely to achieve technical success in patients with previous failure. In conclusion, a previous failed CTO PCI attempt was associated with higher lesion complexity, longer procedure time, and lower technical success; however, the association with lower technical success did not remain significant in multivariable analysis.

Impact of lesion length on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO registry

BACKGROUND

The impact of occlusion length on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.

METHODS

We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 10,335 CTO PCIs at 42 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022. The cohort was divided into two groups based on lesion length (≥20 mm vs. <20 mm).

RESULTS

Long lesions were present in 7208 (70%) patients. Comorbidities were more common in patients with long CTOs. Compared with short lesions, long lesions had higher J-CTO score (2.8 ± 1.1 vs. 1.3 ± 1; p < 0.001) and retrograde wiring was more often the initial (15.5% vs. 4.0%; p < 0.001) and successful (22.8% vs. 8.2%; p < 0.001) crossing strategy. Long lesions were more likely to require longer procedure (123 vs. 91 min; p < 0.001) and fluoroscopy (47.1 vs. 32.2 min; p < 0.001) time, larger contrast volume (218 vs. 200 mL; p < 0.001) and higher air kerma radiation dose (2.4 vs. 1.7 Gy; p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, long lesions were associated with lower technical success (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91 per 10 mm increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 0.94) and higher major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR: 1.08 per 10 mm increase; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.15).

CONCLUSIONS

CTO PCI of long occlusions is independently associated with lower rates of technical success and higher rates of in-hospital MACE.

Impact of proximal cap ambiguity on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO Registry

BACKGROUND

Proximal cap ambiguity is a key parameter in the global chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) crossing algorithm.

METHODS

We examined the baseline characteristics and procedural outcomes of 9718 CTO PCIs performed in 9498 patients at 41 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022.

RESULTS

Proximal cap ambiguity was present in 35% of CTO lesions. Patients whose lesions had proximal cap ambiguity were more likely to have had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (37% vs. 24%; p < 0.001). Lesions with proximal cap ambiguity were more complex with higher J-CTO score (3.1 ± 1.0 vs. 2.0 ± 1.2; p < 0.001) and lower technical (79% vs. 90%; p < 0.001) and procedural (77% vs. 89%; p < 0.001) success rates compared with nonambiguous CTO lesions. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher in cases with proximal cap ambiguity (2.5% vs. 1.7%; p < 0.001). The retrograde approach was more commonly used among cases with ambiguous proximal cap (50% vs. 21%; p < 0.001) and was more likely to be the final successful crossing strategy (29% vs. 13%; p < 0.001). The antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) "move-the-cap" techniques were also more common among cases with proximal cap ambiguity.

CONCLUSIONS

Proximal cap ambiguity in CTO lesions is associated with higher utilization of the retrograde approach and ADR, lower technical and procedural success rates, and higher incidence of in-hospital MACE.

Update on Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions can be challenging to perform. In the present review we summarize recent publications in this rapidly evolving area grouped according to indications, outcomes, technique, and complications.

Validation of the OPEN-CLEAN Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Perforation Score in a Multicenter Registry

Coronary artery perforation is one of the most common and feared complications of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We evaluated the utility of the recently presented OPEN-CLEAN (Coronary artery bypass graft, Length of occlusion, Ejection fraction, Age, calcificatioN) perforation score in an independent multicenter CTO PCI dataset. Of the 2,270 patients who underwent CTO PCI at 7 centers, 150 (6.6%) suffered coronary artery perforation. Patients with perforations were older (69 ± 10 vs 65 ± 10, p <0.001), more likely to be women (89% vs 82%, p = 0.010), more likely to have history of previous coronary artery bypass graft (38% vs 20%, p <0.001), and unfavorable angiographic characteristics such as blunt stump (64% vs 42%, p <0.001), proximal cap ambiguity (51% vs 33%, p <0.001), and moderate-severe calcification (57% vs 43%, p = 0.001). Technical success was lower in patients with perforations (69% vs 85%, p <0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the OPEN-CLEAN perforation risk model was 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.68 to 0.79), with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.72). We found that the CTO PCI perforation risk increased with higher OPEN-CLEAN scores: 3.5% (score 0 to 1), 3.1% (score 2), 5.3% (score 3), 7.1% (score 4), 11.5% (score 5), 19.8% (score 6 to 7). In conclusion, given its good performance and ease of preprocedural calculation, the OPEN-CLEAN perforation score appears to be useful for quantifying the perforation risk for patients who underwent CTO PCI.

Development and validation of a scoring system for predicting clinical coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions: the PROGRESS-CTO perforation score

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery perforation is a feared complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and often leads to serious adverse clinical events.

AIMS

We sought to develop a risk score to predict clinical coronary artery perforation in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

METHODS

We analysed clinical and angiographic parameters from 9,618 CTO PCIs in the Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO). Logistic regression prediction modelling was used to identify variables independently associated with clinical perforation, and the model was internally validated with bootstrapping. Clinical coronary artery perforation was defined as any perforation requiring treatment.

RESULTS

The incidence of clinical coronary perforation was 3.8% (n=367). Five factors were independently associated with perforation and were included in the score: patient age ≥65 years +1 point (odds ratio [OR] 1.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-2.33), moderate/severe calcification +1 point (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.42), blunt/no stump +1 point (OR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92), use of antegrade dissection and re-entry +1 point (OR 2.43, 95% CI: 1.61-3.69), and use of the retrograde approach +2 points (OR 4.02, 95% CI: 2.95-5.46). The resulting score showed acceptable performance on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.741, 95% CI: 0.712-0.773). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated a good fit (p=0.991), and internal validation with bootstrapping demonstrated good agreement with the model with observed AUC: 0.736 (95% bias-corrected CI: 0.706-0.767).

CONCLUSIONS

The PROGRESS-CTO perforation score may be a useful tool for predicting clinical coronary perforation during CTO PCI.

External validation of the PROGRESS-CTO perforation risk score: Individual patient data pooled analysis of three registries

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery perforation is one of the most feared and common complications of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

To assess the usefulness of the recently developed PROGRESS-CTO (NCT02061436) perforation risk score in independent cohorts. Individual patient-level data pooled analysis of three registries was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 4566 patients who underwent CTO PCI at 25 centers, 196 (4.2%) had coronary artery perforation. Patients with perforations were older (69 ± 10 vs. 65 ± 10, p < 0.001), more likely to be women (19% vs. 13%, p = 0.009), more likely to have a history of prior coronary artery bypass graft (34% vs. 20%, p < 0.001), and unfavorable angiographic characteristics such as blunt stump (62% vs. 48%, p < 0.001), proximal cap ambiguity (52% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), and moderate-severe calcification (60% vs. 49%, p = 0.002). Technical success was lower in patients with perforations (73% vs. 88%, p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the PROGRESS-CTO perforation risk model was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.79), with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.97). We found that the CTO PCI perforation risk increased with higher PROGRESS-CTO perforation scores: 0.3% (score 0), 2.3% (score 1), 3.1% (score 2), 5.5% (score 3), 7.5% (score 4), 14.6% (score 5).

CONCLUSION

Given the good discriminative performance, calibration, and the ease of calculation, the PROGRESS-CTO perforation score may facilitate assessment of the risk of perforation in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

Saphenous Vein Graft Occlusion Following Native Vessel Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Whether saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) should be occluded after successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the corresponding native vessel remains controversial.

METHODS

We analyzed the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 51 patients who underwent SVG occlusion following successful CTO-PCI of the corresponding native vessel between 2015 and 2022 at 14 centers.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 71 ± 8 years and 80% were men. The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (41%), followed by the left circumflex (37%). Retrograde crossing through the SVG was the successful crossing strategy in 40 cases (78%). SVG occlusion was achieved with coils (1.9 ± 1.0) in 35 of 51 patients (69%) and vascular plugs in the other 16 cases (31%). All procedures were technically successful and the SVG was occluded completely (TIMI 0 flow) in 38 of the cases (75%), with the remaining cases having TIMI 1 flow. Follow-up was available for 37 patients (73%); during a mean follow-up of 312 days from CTO-PCI, the incidence of target-lesion failure due to restenosis was 5.4% (n = 2) with no other major events reported.

CONCLUSION

Following native vessel CTO-PCI, SVG occlusion is often performed and is associated with favorable mid-term outcomes.

Interaction Between Race and Income on Cardiac Outcomes After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Compared with White Americans, Black Americans have a greater prevalence of cardiac events following percutaneous coronary intervention. We evaluated the association between race and neighborhood income on post–percutaneous coronary intervention cardiac events and assessed whether income modifies the effect of race on this relationship.

Methods and Results

Consecutive patients (n=23 822) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2016, were included. All‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiac event were assessed at 3 years. Extended 10‐year follow‐up was performed for those residing locally (n=1285). Neighborhood income was derived using median adjusted annual gross household income reported within the patient's zip code. We compared differences in treatment and outcomes, adjusting for race, income, and their interaction. In total, 3173 (13.3%) patients self‐identified as Black Americans, and 20 649 (86.7%) self‐identified as White Americans. Black Americans had a worse baseline cardiac risk profile and lower neighborhood income compared with White Americans. Although risk profile improved with increasing income in White Americans, no difference was observed across incomes among Black Americans. Despite similar long‐term outpatient cardiology follow‐up and medication prescription, risk profiles among Black Americans remained worse. At 3 years, unadjusted all‐cause mortality (18.0% versus 15.2%; P <0.001) and major adverse cardiac event (37.3% versus 34.6%; P <0.001) were greater among Black Americans and with lower income (both P <0.001); race, income, and their interaction were not significant predictors in multivariable models. At 10‐year follow‐up, increasing income was associated with improved outcomes only in White Americans but not Black Americans. In multivariable models for major adverse cardiac event, income (hazard ratio [HR], 0.97 [95% CI, 0.96–0.98]; P =0.005), Black race (HR, 1.77 [95% CI, 1.58–1.96]; P =0.006), and their interaction (HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97–0.99]; P =0.003) were significant predictors. Similar findings were observed for cardiac death.

Conclusions

Early 3‐year post–percutaneous coronary intervention outcomes were driven by worse risk factor profiles in both Black Americans and those with lower neighborhood income. However, late 10‐year outcomes showed an independent effect of race and income, with improving outcomes with greater income limited to White Americans. These findings illustrate the importance of developing novel care strategies that address both risk factor modification and social determinants of health to mitigate disparities in cardiac outcomes.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVES

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can improve patient symptoms, but it remains controversial whether it impacts subsequent clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we queried PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases (last search: September 15, 2021). We investigated the impact of CTO-PCI on clinical events including all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), stroke, subsequent coronary artery bypass surgery, target-vessel revascularization, and heart failure hospitalizations. Pooled analysis was performed using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 58 publications with 54,540 patients were included in this analysis, of which 33 were observational studies of successful vs failed CTO-PCI, 19 were observational studies of CTO-PCI vs no CTO-PCI, and 6 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). In observational studies, but not RCTs, CTO-PCI was associated with better clinical outcomes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality, MACE, and MI were 0.52 (95% CI, 0.42-0.64), 0.46 (95% CI, 0.37-0.58), 0.66 (95% CI, 0.50-0.86), respectively for successful vs failed CTO-PCI studies; 0.38 (95% CI, 0.31-0.45), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.42-0.78), 0.65 (95% CI, 0.42-0.99), respectively, for observational studies of CTO-PCI vs no CTO-PCI; 0.72 (95% CI, 0.39-1.32), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.38-1.25), and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.46-2.37), respectively for RCTs.

CONCLUSIONS

CTO-PCI is associated with better subsequent clinical outcomes in observational studies but not in RCTs. Appropriately powered RCTs are needed to conclusively determine the impact of CTO-PCI on clinical outcomes.

Incidence, Mechanisms, Treatment, and Outcomes of Coronary Artery Perforation During Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Coronary artery perforation is a feared complication of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our objective was to describe the incidence, mechanisms, treatment, and outcomes of coronary artery perforation during CTO PCI. We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 10,454 CTO PCIs performed in 10,219 patients between 2012 and 2022. The incidence of coronary perforation was 4.9% (n = 503). Patients who experienced coronary perforation were older and were more likely to have had previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Procedures that resulted in perforation were more complex, with higher Japanese CTO and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention (PROGRESS-CTO) scores. Technical (66% vs 87%, p <0.001) and procedural (55% vs 87%, p <0.001) success rates were lower in perforation cases. The CTO target vessel was the most common perforation site (66%). The retrograde approach was responsible for the perforation in 47% of cases, and guidewire exit was the most common perforation mechanism. The proportion of Ellis class 1, 2, 3, and 3 -"cavity spilling" coronary perforations was 20%, 41%, 28%, and 11%, respectively. In 52% of perforations, 1 or more interventions were required: prolonged balloon inflation (23%), covered stent deployment (21%), coil embolization (6%), and/or autologous fat embolization (4%). Tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis occurred in 69 patients (14%). The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events was higher in perforation cases (18% vs 1.3%, p <0.001). In conclusion, coronary artery perforation occurred in 4.9% of CTO PCIs performed by experienced operators and was associated with lower technical success and higher in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events.

Intravascular lithotripsy in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from the PROGRESS-CTO registry

BACKGROUND

The use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study.

METHODS

We analyzed the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 82 CTO PCIs that required IVL at 14 centers between 2020 and 2022.

RESULTS

During the study period, IVL was used in 82 of 3301 (2.5%) CTO PCI procedures (0.4% in 2020 and 7% in 2022; p for trend < 0.001). Mean patient age was 69 ± 11 years and 79% were men. The prevalence of hypertension (95%), diabetes mellitus (62%), and prior PCI (61%) was high. The most common target vessel was the right coronary artery (54%), followed by the left circumflex (23%). The mean J-CTO and PROGRESS-CTO scores were 2.8 ± 1.1 and 1.3 ± 1.0, respectively. Antegrade wiring was the final successful crossing strategy in 65% and the retrograde approach was used in 22%. IVL was used in 10% of all heavily calcified lesions and 11% of all balloon undilatable lesions. The 3.5 mm lithotripsy balloon was the most commonly used balloon (28%). The mean number of pulses per lithotripsy run was 33 ± 32 and the median duration of lithotripsy was 80  (interquartile range: 40-103) seconds. Technical and procedural success was achieved in 77 (94%) and 74 (90%) cases, respectively. Two (2.4%) Ellis Class 2 perforations occurred after IVL use and were managed conservatively.

CONCLUSION

IVL is increasingly being used in CTO PCI with encouraging outcomes.

Predicting Periprocedural Complications in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The PROGRESS-CTO Complication Scores

BACKGROUND

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications. Estimating the risk of complications facilitates risk-benefit assessment and procedural planning.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to develop risk scores for in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute myocardial infarction (MI) in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

METHODS

The study analyzed the PROGRESS-CTO (Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention; NCT02061436) and created risk scores for MACE, mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute MI. Logistic regression prediction modeling was used to identify independently associated variables, and models were internally validated with bootstrapping.

RESULTS

The incidence of periprocedural complications among 10,480 CTO PCIs was as follows: MACE 215 (2.05%), mortality 47 (0.45%), pericardiocentesis 83 (1.08%), and acute MI 66 (0.63%). The final model for MACE included ≥65 years of age (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), blunt stump (1 point), antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) (1 point), female (2 points), and retrograde (2 points); the final model for mortality included ≥65 years of age (1 point), left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), ADR (1 point), and retrograde (1 point); the final model for pericardiocentesis included ≥65 years of age (1 point), female (1 point), moderate-severe calcification (1 point), ADR (1 point), and retrograde (2 points); the final model for acute MI included prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (1 point), atrial fibrillation (1 point), and blunt stump (1 point). The C-statistics of the models were 0.74, 0.80, 0.78, 0.72 for MACE, mortality, pericardiocentesis, and acute MI, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The PROGRESS-CTO complication risk scores can facilitate estimation of the periprocedural complication risk in patients undergoing CTO PCI.

Adverse Events With Intravascular Lithotripsy After Peripheral and Off-Label Coronary Use: A Report From the FDA MAUDE Database

Currently only the peripheral intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) device is approved for use in the United States. We queried the United States Food and Drug Administration's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database from January 1, 2016 to December 14, 2020 for all reports of adverse events and modes of failure related to the peripheral IVL device, when used for on- and off-label indications. There were 20 reports of use in peripheral artery disease interventions and 3 reports of off-label use in coronary interventions. Device malfunction in 13 of 23 patients (56.5%) was the most common adverse event reported. Partial balloon or catheter dislodgment was the most common mode of IVL device failure in 12 of 20 patients (60%), followed by balloon rupture in 3 of 20 patients (15%). Coronary use was rare, and associated with balloon perforation in 1 of 3 patients, bradycardia in 1 of 3 patients, and aortocoronary dissection in 1 of 3 patients. In summary, IVL use carries risk of complications; hence, continued vigilance and postmarketing monitoring are warranted.