Impact of target vessel on long-term cardiac mortality after successful chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Insights from a Japanese multicenter registry

Prognostic Impact of Target Vessel in Chronic Total Occlusions: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) in the coronary arteries in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is associated with better outcome than unsuccessful PCI. Randomized data have not found invasive treatment of non-CTO LAD lesion to be associated with better outcome. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of CTO revascularization stratified on target treated vessel compared with non-CTO LAD PCI. The hypothesis was that successful PCI of LAD CTO and non-LAD CTO and unsuccessful non-LAD CTO were associated with the same prognosis as non-CTO LAD lesions, whereas patients with unsuccessful LAD CTO were associated with a poorer prognosis. The study was a population-based cohort study, including consecutive patients who underwent PCI from 2009 to 2019 in the Central Denmark Region. Patients with acute myocardial infarction within 30 days were excluded. Patients with CTO were stratified by occluded vessel and procedural success. The primary end point was long-term all-cause mortality and was calculated as a hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Secondary end points were myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization. In total, 21,141 patients were screened, 4,518 had non-CTO LAD PCI, and 1,475 had CTO PCI. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 5.8 years (3.6 to 8.8). In the successful CTO groups, the adjusted risk for all-cause mortality was equal to patients with non-CTO LAD (LAD CTO hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.14 [0.90 to 1.44], non-LAD CTO 1.09 [0.95 to 1.27]). Patients with unsuccessful LAD CTO had a higher risk than patients with non-CTO LAD, whereas unsuccessful non-LAD CTO had not (unsuccessful LAD 1.88 [1.33 to 2.65], unsuccessful non-LAD 1.26 [0.97 to 1.63]). In conclusion, successful LAD and non-LAD CTO PCI had the same prognosis as non-CTO LAD PCI, whereas only unsuccessful LAD CTO PCI had a poorer prognosis. Patients with LAD CTO are a high-risk population, and dedicated CTO trials are needed to confirm this finding and establish guideline recommendations.

The impacts of percutaneous coronary intervention to treat chronic total occlusion of right coronary artery on the 5-year prognosis: A single-centered retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Chronic total occlusions (CTO) occur in about 20% of patients referred for coronary angiography, and right coronary artery (RCA) CTO has been reported in 38-50% of the entire CTO population. Limited data on angiographic and procedural characteristics of RCA-CTO and the risk of adverse cardiac events asks for a detailed study.

METHODS

From 2010 to 2013, patients with attempted revascularization of at least one CTO lesion were included and followed up to 5 years after PCI. Eligible patients are assigned to RCA-CTO and non-RCA-CTO groups based on their target vessels. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs; a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI) or rehospitalization for heart failure), and secondary endpoints were cardiac death, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR).

RESULTS

The present study included 2659 eligible patients, among which 1285 patients were assigned to the RCA-CTO group, whereas 1374 patients were assigned to the non-RCA-CTO group. Lesions in RCA had longer lesion length, higher J-CTO score, higher rates of severe vessel tortuosity, a higher percentage of Rentrop grade 2-3, and more likely to be re-try lesion than those in LAD or LCX (all P < 0.01). CTO lesions in RCA reached less successful recanalization and post-procedural TIMI 3 flow (all <0.01). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that RCA-CTO was not associated with primary outcome MACEs. Besides MACEs, RCA-CTO was also not associated with cardiac death, but was significantly associated with TLR and TVR (adjusted HR: 1.37 [95% CI:1.07-1.76], P = 0.01; adjusted HR: 1.43 [95% CI:1.13-1.82], P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

RCA-CTO lesions, which had more complex angiographic features, independently contributed to TLR and TVR but not to MACEs or cardiac death in the 5 years of follow-up.

Presence and Relevance of Myocardial Bridge in LAD-PCI of CTO and Non-CTO Lesions

BACKGROUND

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies show that one-quarter of left anterior descending (LAD) arteries have a myocardial bridge. An MB may be associated with stent failure when the stent extends into the MB.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate: 1) the association between an MB and chronic total occlusion (CTO) in any LAD lesions; and 2) the association between an MB and subsequent clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in LAD CTOs.

METHODS

A total of 3,342 LAD lesions with IVUS-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (280 CTO and 3,062 non-CTO lesions) were included. The primary outcome was target lesion failure (cardiac death, target vessel myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, and ischemic-driven target lesion revascularization).

RESULTS

An MB by IVUS was significantly more prevalent in LAD CTOs than LAD non-CTOs (40.4% [113/280] vs 25.8% [789/3,062]; P < 0.0001). The discrepancy in CTO length between angiography and IVUS was greater in 113 LAD CTOs with an MB than 167 LAD CTOs without an MB (6.0 [Q1, Q3: 0.1, 12.2] mm vs 0.2 [Q1, Q3: -1.4, 8.4] mm; P < 0.0001). Overall, 48.7% (55/113) of LAD CTOs had a stent that extended into an MB after which target lesion failure was significantly higher compared to a stent that did not extend into an MB (26.3% vs 0%; P = 0.0004) or compared to an LAD CTO without an MB (26.3% vs 9.6%; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

An MB was more common in LAD CTO than non-CTO LAD lesions. If present, approximately one-half of LAD CTOs had a stent extending into an MB that, in turn, was associated with worse outcomes.

Prognostic Impact of Target Lesion Revascularization on Long-Term Cardiac Mortality After Current-Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Left Main Distal Bifurcation: the Milan and New-Tokyo (MITO) Registry

BACKGROUND

There are scarce data about the incidence and impact on clinical outcomes of target lesion revascularization (TLR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for unprotected left main distal bifurcation lesions (ULMD) in current generation drug eluting stent (cDES) era.

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the incidence and impact on clinical outcomes of TLR after PCI using cDES for ULMD.

METHODS

We identified 720 patients treated with cDES for ULMD at New Tokyo Hospital (Matsudo, Japan), San Raffaele Scientific Institute and EMO-GVM Centro Cuore Columbus (Milan, Italy) between January 2005 and December 2015. We divided those patients in 2 groups; TLR group (n = 107), no TLR group (n = 613). The TLR group was comprised patients undergoing a repeat revascularization by PCI or coronary artery bypass grafting of the target lesion. Analysis using propensity score adjustment was also performed. The primary endpoint was cardiac mortality. Additionally, we analyzed the impact of TLR for each main branch (MB) or side branch on cardiac mortality using multivariate Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Cardiac mortality was significantly higher in TLR group than in no TLR group (adjusted HR 1.96; 95 % CI, 1.50-3.62; p = 0.032). Cardiac mortality was also significantly higher in TLR group after propensity score adjustment. TLR for MB was identified as an independent predictor of cardiac death on multivariate Cox regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The TLR, especially the TLR for MB, after PCI even with cDES for ULMD, was strongly associated with worse cardiac mortality.

Rotational atherectomy for chronically and totally occluded coronary lesions: A propensity score-matched outcomes study

Background

Despite advances being made in techniques and devices, certain chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions remain uncrossable or undilatable. Rotational atherectomy (RA) is usually necessary for such lesions to achieve successful revascularization.

Methods

Information regarding consecutive patients who underwent coronary RA was retrieved from the catheterization laboratory database. Patients who underwent RA for CTO lesion refractory using other conventional devices were recruited, with propensity score-matched cases serving as controls.

Results

A total of 411 patients underwent coronary RA in the study period. Most patients had high-risk features (65.7% had acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 14.1% ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 5.1% cardiogenic shock), while only 20.2% of the patients had stable angina. Among them, 44 patients underwent RA for CTO lesions (CTO group), whereas the propensity score matched controls consist of 37 patients (non-CTO group). The baseline characteristics, high-risk features, coronary artery disease (CAD) vessel numbers, left ventricular function and biochemistry profiles of both groups were the same except for more patients with diabetes (67.6% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.046) in the non-CTO group and more 1.25 mm burr uses in the CTO group. There were no significant differences in acute procedural outcomes or incidence of acute contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), and no patient demanded emergent CABG or died during the procedure. There was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), CV MACE or individual components between the two groups in the hospital, at 30, 90, and 180 days or at 1 year.

Conclusion

In comparison with the propensity risk factor scores-matched controls, there was no difference in procedural complications, acute CIN or clinical outcomes during various stages of RA for CTO lesions. RA for CTO patients was highly efficient and showed safety and outcome profiles similar to those for non-CTO lesions.

Prognostic value of the normalization of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony after revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease

There are no reports indicating a prognostic difference based on normalization of left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony after revascularization in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We retrospectively investigated 596 patients who underwent rest ²⁰¹Tl and stress ^99mTc-tetrofosmin electrocardiogram-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging. All patients had significant stenosis with ≥ 75% narrowing of the coronary arterial diameter detected by coronary angiography performed after confirmation of ≥ 5% ischemia by the SPECT. Patients underwent revascularization and thereafter were re-evaluated by the SPECT during a chronic phase, and followed-up to confirm their prognosis for ≥ 1 year. The composite endpoint was the onset of major cardiac events (MCEs) consisting of cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina pectoris (UAP), and severe heart failure requiring hospitalization. The stress phase bandwidth (SPBW) was calculated by phase analysis with the Heart Risk View-F software and its normal upper limit was set to 38°. During the follow-up, 64 patients experienced MCEs: Cardiac death (n = 11), non-fatal MI (n = 5), UAP (n = 26), and severe heart failure (n = 22). The results of the multivariate analysis showed the ∆summed difference score %, ∆stress LV ejection fraction, and stress SPBW after revascularization to be independent predictors of MCEs. Additionally, the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the summed rest score%, summed difference score%, stress LV ejection fraction, and perfusion defects in the left circumflex artery region before revascularization to be independent predictors for normalized SPBW after revascularization. The prognosis of patients who normalized SPBW after revascularization was similar to that of patients with a normal SPBW before revascularization, while patients who did not normalize after revascularization had the worst prognosis. In conclusion, normalization of LV dyssynchrony after revascularization assessed with nuclear cardiology may help predict future MCEs and thus a useful indicator for predicting improved prognosis in patients with CAD.

Lesion characteristics and procedural complications of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with prior bypass surgery: A meta-analysis

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) accelerates the prevalence of native coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO), and this kind of CTO shows extensive challenging and complex atherosclerotic pathology. As a result, the procedural success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is inferior to another kind of lesions. The present meta-analysis aims to compare the lesion characteristics and procedural complications of CTO-PCI in patients with or without prior CABG. A total of 8 studies, comprising of 13439 patients, published from inception to August 2021 were included in this meta-analysis. Results were pooled using random effects model and are presented as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). From the 13439 patients enrolled, 3349 (24.9%) patients had previous CABG and 10090 (75.1%) formed the control group in our analysis. For the clinical characteristic, compared to the non-CABG patients, prior CABG patients were older (OR, 3.98; 95% CI, 3.19-4.78; p < .001; I2  = 72%), had more male (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.14-1.49; p < .001; I2  = 6%), diabetes mellitus (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.36-1.73; p < .001; I2  = 37%), dyslipidemia (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.33-2.69; p < .001; I2  = 81%), hypertension (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.46-2.41; p < .001; I2  = 71%), previous myocardial infarction (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.48-2.56; p < .001; I2  = 85%), and previous PCI (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.52-1.98; p < .001; I2  = 22%). Non-CABG patents had more current smoker (OR, .45; 95% CI, 0.27-0.74; p < .001; I2  = 91%). BMI (OR, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.07-0.06; p = .85; I2  = 36%) were similar in both groups. For lesions location, the right coronary artery (RCA) was predominant target vessel in both groups (50.5% vs 48.7%; p＝.49), although, the left circumflex (LCX) was more frequently CTO in the prior CABG group (27.3% vs 18.9%; p＜.01), while left anterior descending artery (LAD) in non-CABG ones (16.0% vs 29.1%; p＜0.01). For lesions characteristics, prior CABG patients had more blunt stump (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.46-2.00; p < .001; I2  = 40%), proximal cap ambiguity (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.28-1.64; p < .001; I2  = 0.0%), severe calcifications (OR, 2.91; 95% CI, 2.19-3.86; p < .001; I2  = 83%), more bending (OR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.61-3.62; p < .001; I2  = 0%), lesion length > 20 mm (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.10-2.29; p = .01; I2  = 83%), inadequate distal landing zone (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.75-2.18; p＜.001; I2  = 0.0%), distal cap at bifurcation (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.46-1.88; p < .001; I2  = 0.0%), and higher J-CTO score (SMD, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.42-0.63; p < .001; I2  = 65%). But side branch at proximal entry (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72-1.07; p = .21; I2  = 45%), in-stent CTO (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.86-1.14; p = .88; I2  = 0.0%), lack of interventional collaterals (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.55-1.15; p = .23; I2  = 78%), and previously failed attempt (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.48-1.11; p = .14; I2  = 89%) were similar in both groups. For complication, prior CABG patients had more perforation with need for intervention (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.36-2.69; p < 0.001; I2  = 34%), contrast-induced nephropathy (OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.31-8.78; p = .01; I2  = 0.0%). Non-CABG patents had more tamponade (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.72; p = .01; I2  = 0.0%), and the major bleeding complication (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.57-2.44; p = .65; I2  = 0%) were no significant difference in both groups. In conclusion, Patients with prior CABG undergoing CTO-PCI have more complex lesion characteristics, though procedural complication rates were comparable.

Cardiac and sudden death after chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Prognostic role of the target vessel

BACKGROUND

The role of the target vessel in percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess the long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO lesions in each coronary artery and to investigate the impact of successful revascularization and previous myocardial infarction (MI) in the territory of the target vessel.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cohort observational study on 1,124 patients who have undergone CTO PCI attempt: 371 on left anterior descending artery (LAD), 485 right coronary artery, and 268 left circumflex. Patients were further stratified by successfully revascularized and not-revascularized CTO (CTO-NR). Vessels affected by a previous MI were defined as infarct-related artery (IRA). The primary endpoint was cardiac death; the secondary endpoint was the combined rate of sudden cardiac-death and sustained ventricular-arrhythmias (SCD/SVAs). Propensity score-matching was performed to evaluate LAD versus NON-LAD CTO. Up to 12-year follow-up, the clinical benefit associated with successful PCI was consistent across the three groups. CTO-NR had the greatest association with cardiac death and SCD/SVAs in each coronary artery and in IRA-CTO patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Unsuccessful percutaneous CTO revascularization was associated with lower cardiac survival and freedom from SCD/SVAs, irrespective of the vessel treated. This result was mainly driven by patients with an IRA CTO.

The impact of successful chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention on long-term clinical outcomes in real world

BACKGROUND

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are related to increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes. The optimal treatment strategy for CTO has not been well established. We sought to examine the impact of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on long-term clinical outcome in the real world.

METHODS

A total of 592 patients with CTO were enrolled. 29 patients were excluded due to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). After exclusion, 563 patients were divided into the no-revascularized group (CTO-NR group, n = 263) and successful revascularized group (CTO-R group, n = 300). The primary endpoint was cardiac death; secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), a composite of all-cause death, cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, re-hospitalization, heart failure, and stroke.

RESULTS

Percent of Diabetes mellitus (53.2% vs 39.7), Chronic kidney disease (8.7% vs 3.7%), CABG history (7.6% vs 1%), three vessel disease (96.2% vs 90%) and left main coronary artery disease (25.1% vs 13.7%) was significantly higher in the CTO-NR group than in success PCI group (all P < 0.05). Moreover, the CTO-NR group has the lower ejection fraction (EF) (0.58 ± 0.11 vs 0.61 ± 0.1, p = 0.001) and fraction shortening (FS) (0.31 ± 0.07 vs 0.33 ± 0.07, p = 0.002). At a median follow-up of 12 months, CTO revascularization was superior to CTO no-revascularization in terms of cardiac death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.27, 95% conference interval [CI] 0.11-0.64). The superiority of CTO revascularization was consistent for MACCE (HR: 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.79). At multivariable Cox hazards regression analysis, CTO revascularization remains one of the independent predictors of lower risk of cardiac death and MACCE.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful revascularization by PCI may bring more clinical benefits. The presence of low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and LM-disease was associated with an incidence of cardiac death; CTO revascularization was a protected predictor of cardiac death. Successful revascularization by PCI offered CTO patients more clinical benefits, manifested by lower incidence of cardiac death during follow-up. The presence of LVEF < 0.5 and left main coronary artery disease (LM disease) was associated with an incidence of cardiac death; CTO revascularised was a protected predictor of cardiac death.

Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization Versus No Chronic Total Occlusion Revascularization: Variability by Target Vessel

We aimed to investigate the impact of target vessel on clinical outcomes in chronic total occlusion (CTO) revascularization versus no CTO revascularization. This multicenter, retrospective, cohort study involves patients with ≥1 CTO. After classification based on different CTO target vessels or multiple CTOs, patients were further categorized as the CTO revascularization group and the no CTO revascularization group based on treatment received. The primary outcome was a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, repeated revascularization, and hospital admission due to ischemic symptoms. From August 2016 to August 2017, 1712 eligible patients were consecutively enrolled. Chronic total occlusion revascularization was associated with lower risk of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.20-0.67; P = .001) compared with no CTO revascularization in left anterior descending (LAD) CTO patients. The benefit of CTO revascularization was not evident among those with left circumflex (LCX; adjusted HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.23-1.10; P = .087), right coronary artery (RCA; adjusted HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.59-2.33; P = .648), and multiple CTOs (adjusted HR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.41-2.44; P = .994). Revascularization for LAD CTO, but not LCX, RCA, or multiple CTOs, was associated with lower risk of 1-year MACCEs compared with no CTO revascularization.

Does the left circumflex coronary artery location impact on the success of chronic total occlusion recanalization? A single-center cohort study

We sought to determine whether the chronic total occlusions (CTO) recanalization results differ between circumflex artery (CX) and other coronary arteries in our center. The study dataset encompassed 428 consecutive procedures. J-CTO score was highest in the right coronary artery (RCA) and lowest in CX lesions. After adjusting for the J-CTO score, age, body mass index, baseline creatinine, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension the odds ratio for procedural success in CX compared to the other arteries was not statistically significant. We found no difference in success rates of recanalizing CTO in CX compared to other coronary arteries.

Technical Feasibility and Safety of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for True Ostial Left Anterior Descending Artery-Chronic Total Occlusion

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for true ostial left anterior descending artery (LAD)-chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions poses technical challenges owing to its inherent anatomic features.

METHODS

In total, 270 consecutive patients who underwent PCI for ostial LAD-CTO at 13 major cardiac centers in South Korea were included. Ostial LAD-CTO was strictly defined as a LAD-CTO lesion whose proximal cap was within 1 mm from the carina of the distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) bifurcation.

RESULTS

Ostial LAD-CTOs were frequently accompanied by stumpless lesion entry (43.4%), whereas significant bending within the occluded segment was less frequent (14.4%). The overall technical success rate was 85.9%, and serious in-hospital adverse events occurred in 5.6%. The retrograde approach tended to contribute more frequently to success in patients with concomitant LMCA disease, stumpless CTO, interventional collaterals, and higher Japanese-CTO scores. Apparent dissection or hematoma requiring rescue procedure at the LMCA or left circumflex artery occurred in 14 patients (5.2%), with a higher tendency in patients who had LMCA disease (12.1% vs 4.2%) and stumpless entry (9.4% vs 2.0%) than in those without. Among patients who were successfully treated, with an average of 1.7 stents, target-vessel failure occurred in 23 patients (9.9%) during a median 3.3 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this first large-scale analysis of true ostial LAD-CTO, PCI was feasible with a high technical success rate and favourable mid-term outcomes. Clinically relevant inflow vessel injury can occur during PCI and should be an important technical consideration regarding safety.

Scoring System for Identification of "Survival Advantage" after Successful Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Chronic Total Occlusion

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is widely used in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), but its benefit in improving long-term outcomes is controversial. We aimed to develop a prediction score for grading “survival advantage” conferred by successful results of CTO-PCI and a scoring system for prediction of the influence of CTO-PCI results on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Methods: Follow-up data of 2625 patients who underwent CTO-PCI at 65 Japanese centers were analyzed. An integer scoring system was developed by including statistical effect modifiers on the association between successful CTO-PCI and one-year mortality. Results: Follow-up at 12 months was completed in 2034 patients. During follow-up, 76 deaths (3.7%) occurred. Patients with successful CTO-PCI had a better one-year survival than patients with failed CTO-PCI (log rank P = 0.016). Effect modifiers for the association between successful procedure and one-year mortality included diabetes (P interaction = 0.043), multivessel disease (P interaction = 0.175), Canadian Cardiovascular Society class ≥2 (P interaction = 0.088), and prior myocardial infarction (MI) (P interaction = 0.117). Each component was assigned a single point and summed to develop the scoring system. The patients were then categorized to specify the prediction of survival advantage by successful PCI: ≤2 (normal) and ≥3 (distinct). The differences in one-year mortality between patients with successful and failed treatment were −0.7% and 11.3% for normal and distinct score categories, respectively. In the scoring system for MACCE, score components were prior MI (P interaction = 0.19), left anterior descending artery (LAD)-CTO (P interaction = 0.079), and reattempt of CTO-PCI (P interaction = 0.18). The differences in one-year MACCEs between successful and failed patients for each score category (0, 1, and ≥2) were −1.7%, 7.5%, and 15.1%, respectively. Conclusions: The novel scoring system assessing the advantage of successful PCI can be easily applied in patients with CTO. It is a valid instrument for clinical decision-making while assessing the survival advantage of CTO-PCI and the influence of procedural results on MACCEs.

Successful revascularization versus medical therapy in diabetic patients with stable right coronary artery chronic total occlusion: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The territory of the right coronary artery (RCA) is smaller than that of the left anterior descending artery. Previous studies have reported conflicting results when considering whether stable RCA-chronic total occlusion (CTO) should be reopened. The coexistence of diabetic and coronary artery diseases represents a severe situation. Therefore, we aimed to determine if stable RCA-CTO in diabetic patients was necessary to be reopened. To our knowledge, no studies have focused on this topic to date.

Methods

We enrolled diabetic patients with RCA-CTO who had clinical presentations of symptomatic stable angina or silent ischemia. RCA-CTO was treated with either successful revascularization (the CTO-SR group) or medical therapy (the CTO-MT group). The primary endpoint was all-cause death. Both Cox regression and propensity score matching analyses were used. Sensitivity analysis was performed based on subgroup populations and relevant baseline variables.

Results

A total of 943 patients were included: 443 (46.98%) patients in the CTO-MT group and 500 (53.02%) patients in the CTO-SR group. After a mid-term follow-up (CTO-SR: 48 months; CTO-MT: 42 months), we found that CTO-SR was superior to CTO-MT in terms of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] [model 1]: 0.429, 95% conference interval [CI] 0.269–0.682; adjusted HR [model 2]: 0.445, 95% CI 0.278–0.714). The superiority of CTO-SR was consistent for cardiac death, possible/definite cardiac death, repeat revascularization, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and repeat nonfatal myocardial infarction. Subgroup analysis confirmed the mortality benefit of CTO-SR by percutaneous coronary intervention (the successful CTO-PCI subgroup, 309 patients in total). While CTO-SR by coronary artery bypass grafting (the CTO-CABG subgroup, 191 patients in total) offered patients more benefit from repeat revascularization and TVR than that offered by successful CTO-PCI.

Conclusions

For stable RCA-CTO patients with diabetes, successful revascularization offered patients more clinical benefits than medical therapy. CTO-CABG might be a more recommended way to accomplish revascularization.

Trial registration This study was not registered in an open access database

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12933-019-0911-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.