Prevention of lesion recurrence in chronic total coronary occlusions by paclitaxel-eluting stents

Recanalisation of coronary chronic total occlusions

Percutaneous treatment of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) has advanced greatly since its advent in the late 1970s through the development of dedicated wires and microcatheters, the improved skills of highly experienced operators and the adoption of new sophisticated strategies to guide procedural planning. The contemporary procedural success rate is 80-90% with a reduction in complications. Although there has been no improvement in prognosis in randomised trials to date, they, and other controlled registries of thousands of patients, confirm the pivotal role of CTO recanalisation in the treatment of angina and dyspnoea and an improvement in quality of life. Despite this evidence, CTO recanalisation is grossly underutilised. This review reports a detailed overview of the history, indications and treatment strategies for CTO recanalisation and hopes to increase interest among new, and especially young, operators in this demanding, rapidly evolving field of interventional cardiology.

Late-term safety and effectiveness of everolimus-eluting stents in chronic total coronary occlusion revascularization: Final 4-year results from the evaluation of the XIENCE coronary stent, Performance, and Technique in Chronic Total Occlusions (EXPERT CTO) multicenter trial

BACKGROUND

Limited study has detailed the late-term safety and efficacy of chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) revascularization among multiple centers applying modern techniques and with newer-generation drug-eluting stents.

METHODS

Among 20 centers, 222 patients enrolled in the XIENCE coronary stent, performance, and technique (EXPERT) CTO trial underwent CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with everolimus-eluting stents (EES). Through planned 4-year follow-up, the primary composite endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction [MI] and target lesion revascularization) and rates of individual component endpoints and stent thrombosis were determined.

RESULTS

Demographic, lesion, and procedural characteristics included prior bypass surgery, 9.9%; diabetes, 40.1%; lesion length, 36.1 ± 18.5 mm; and stent length, 51.7 ± 27.2 mm. By 4 years, MACE rates were 31.6 and 22.4% by the pre-specified ARC and per-protocol definitions, respectively. Clinically-indicated target lesion revascularization at 4 years was 11.3%. In landmark analyses of events beyond the first year of revascularization, the annualized rates of target vessel-related MI and clinically-indicated target lesion revascularization were 0.53 and 1.3%, respectively. Through 4 years, the cumulative definite/probable stent thrombosis rate was 1.7% with no events occurring beyond the initial year of index revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

In a multicenter registration trial representing contemporary technique and EES, these results demonstrate sustained long-term safety and effectiveness of EES in CTO percutaneous revascularization and can be used to inform shared decision making with patients being considered for CTO PCI relative to late safety and vessel patency.

First-Generation Versus Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents in Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions: Two-Year Results of a Multicenter Registry

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available regarding the long-term clinical outcomes of second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) versus first-generation DES in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of second-generation DES with those of first-generation DES for the treatment of CTO.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Between March 2003 and February 2012, 1,006 consecutive patients with CTO who underwent successful PCI using either first-generation DES (n = 557) or second-generation DES (n = 449) were enrolled in a multicenter, observational registry. Propensity-score matching was also performed. The primary outcome was cardiac death over a 2-year follow-up period. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the incidence of cardiac death (first-generation DES versus second-generation DES; 2.5% vs 2.0%; hazard ratio [HR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37 to 1.98; p = 0.72) or major adverse cardiac events (MACE, 11.8% vs 11.4%; HR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.50; p = 0.99). After propensity score matching, the incidences of cardiac death (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.35 to 2.06; p = 0.86) and MACE (HR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.63 to 1.37; p = 0.71) were still similar in both groups. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between sirolimus-eluting, paclitaxel-eluting, zotarolimus-eluting, and everolimus-eluting stents regarding the incidence of cardiac death or MACE.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the efficacy of second-generation DES is comparable to that of first-generation DES for treatment of CTO over 2 years of follow-up.

Primary Stenting of Totally Occluded Native Coronary Arteries III (PRISON III): a randomised comparison of sirolimus-eluting stent implantation with zotarolimus-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of total coronary occlusions

AIMS

We investigated whether sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) are superior to next-generation zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) in treating patients with total coronary occlusions (TCO).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a prospective, randomised trial we compared the SES with the zotarolimus-eluting stent (ZES; Endeavor or Resolute) after successful recanalisation of TCO. During the first phase of the trial, 51 patients were assigned to receive the SES and 46 patients to receive the Endeavor ZES. In the second phase we randomised 103 patients to the SES group and 104 patients to the Resolute ZES group. The primary endpoint was in-segment late lumen loss at eight-month follow-up. At eight months, patients in the SES group had less in-segment and in-stent late loss as compared to the Endeavor group: -0.13±0.3 mm vs. 0.27±0.6 mm (p=0.0002) and -0.13±0.5 mm vs. 0.54±0.5 mm (p<0.0001), respectively. In contrast, the SES and the Resolute ZES showed comparable amounts of in-segment (-0.03±0.7 mm vs. -0.10±0.7 mm, p=0.6) and in-stent (0.03±0.8 mm vs. 0.05±0.8 mm, p=0.9) late loss.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of TCOs, the SES was associated with superior angiographic outcomes compared to the Endeavor ZES. On the other hand, the SES and the Resolute ZES showed comparable angiographic outcomes.

Comparison of outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion using everolimus- versus sirolimus- versus paclitaxel-eluting stents (from the Korean National Registry of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention)

For the treatment of chronic total occlusion (CTO), the efficacy and safety of the everolimus-eluting stent (EES) remain less well defined. Also, there are limited data for the predictors of outcome after CTO intervention. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of the EES with the first-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) in CTO intervention and to investigate the predictors of clinical outcome. The Korean National Registry of CTO Intervention is a retrospective cohort of 26 centers from the past 5 years. The primary end point was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as a composite of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Of the 1,754 all-comer patients, 1,509 patients (EES 311, sirolimus-eluting stent [SES] 642, paclitaxel-eluting stent 556) were finally analyzed after excluding 245 patients (mixed DESs in 46 and follow-up loss in 199). In the inverse probability weighting-adjusted population, the 1-year MACE rate of the EES was comparable with that of the SES (5.8% vs 3.4%, p = 0.796) and the paclitaxel-eluting stent (5.8% vs 6.9%, p = 0.740). Each component of MACE was also comparable among the 3 stents. Importantly, the independent predictors of MACE were diabetes mellitus, previous congestive heart failure, and left circumflex CTO. In conclusion, for the first time in the largest CTO cohort, the EES showed good 1-year clinical outcomes that were comparable with the SES. Independent predictors of MACE after CTO intervention were clinical factors (diabetes and congestive heart failure) and lesion location.

Percutaneous Treatment of Coronary Chronic Total Occlusions Part 1: Rationale and Outcomes

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly encountered in patients with coronary artery disease. Compared to patients without coronary CTOs, those with CTO have worse clinical outcomes and lower likelihood of complete coronary revascularisation. Successful CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can significantly improve angina and improve left ventricular function. Although currently unproven, successful CTO PCI might also reduce the risk for arrhythmic events in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, provide better tolerance of future acute coronary syndrome, and possibly improve survival. Evaluation by a heart team comprised of both interventional and non-interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons is important for determining the optimal revascularisation strategy in patients with coronary artery disease and CTOs. Ad hoc CTO PCI is generally not recommended, so as to allow sufficient time for (a) discussion with the patient about the indications, goals, risks, and alternatives to PCI; (b) careful procedural planning; and (c) contrast and radiation exposure minimisation. Use of drug-eluting stents is recommended for CTO PCI, given the lower rates of angiographic restenosis compared to bare metal stents.

Late catch-up in lumen diameter at five-year angiography in MACE-free patients treated with sirolimus-eluting stents in the Primary Stenting of Totally Occluded Native Coronary Arteries: a randomised comparison of bare metal stent implantation with sirolimus-eluting stent implantation for the treatment of total coronary occlusions (PRISON II)

AIMS

The present study was designed to examine the five-year angiographic follow-up of MACE-free patients enrolled in the PRISON II study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the PRISON II study a total of 200 patients were randomised to either bare metal stents (BMS) or sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) after successful recanalisation of total coronary occlusions (TCO). Patients free of MACE with available angiography at six months were approached for repeated angiography at five years. The primary endpoint was in-stent very late luminal loss (VLLL) at five years. The secondary endpoint was additional late luminal loss (ALLL) between six months and five years. At five years, repeated angiography was performed in 72 patients, 50/82 (61%) in the SES group and 22/58 (38%) in the BMS group. In-stent VLLL was lower in the SES group (0.19 mm ± 0.72 vs. 0.51 mm ± 0.71, p=0.09) compared to the BMS group and in-segment VLLL was comparable in both groups (0.01 mm±0.58 vs. 0.03 mm ± 0.73, p=0.89). Late catch-up in lumen diameter was observed in the SES group with a trend towards increased ALLL compared to the BMS group (in-stent, 0.35 mm ± 0.88 vs. 0.04 mm ± 0.81, p=0.16; in-segment, 0.20 mm ± 0.74 vs. -0.05 mm ± 0.73, p=0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

At five-year angiographic follow-up, late catch-up was observed after successful recanalisation of TCOs treated with SES. Despite a late catch-up, the angiographic results of SES were superior in-stent and similar in-segment compared to BMS.

New percutaneous approaches for chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries

Successful recanalization and percutaneous revascularization of coronary arteries with chronic total occlusion (CTO) is one of the 'last frontiers' in coronary interventions. Conquering this obstacle will enable complete percutaneous revascularization in an increasing number of patients. The introduction within the last few years of enhanced guidewires combined with increasing operator experience and creative procedural techniques, such as the retrograde approach and the re-entry subintimal tracking technique (STAR), have significantly reduced the number of CTOs that should now be considered unapproachable. In addition, novel devices have been developed over recent years that may increase the success rate, as well as the safety, of the procedure. The Safe-Cross radiofrequency combines optical coherence reflectometry that warns the operator when the wire tip moves to within 1 mm of the outer vessel wall, combined with radiofrequency energy pulses to facilitate the passage. The CROSSER catheter mechanically vibrates against the face of the CTO at 20 kHz at a stroke depth of approximately 20 microm, creating a channel through the CTO. The most novel approach is the biologic one, in which proteolytic enzymes that digest the CTO cap to facilitate mechanical passage. The success rates for otherwise refractory CTOs will continue to improve with the development and validation of new imaging modalities and active energy source catheters.

Randomized comparison of sirolimus-eluting and everolimus-eluting coronary stents in the treatment of total coronary occlusions: results from the chronic coronary occlusion treated by everolimus-eluting stent randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Patients with coronary total occlusions are at especially high risk for restenosis and new revascularizations. Sirolimus-eluting stents dramatically improved the clinical outcome of this subset of patients in randomized trials, but other drug-eluting stents, mainly the everolimus-eluting stent (currently the most frequently used stent), have not yet been evaluated in patients with coronary total occlusions. The objective was to compare the second-generation everolimus-eluting stent with the first-generation sirolimus-eluting stent in patients with coronary total occlusions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 207 patients with coronary total occlusions and estimated time since occlusion >2 weeks were randomized to everolimus- or sirolimus-eluting stent. The primary end point was in-stent late loss at 9-month angiographic follow-up (noninferiority trial). Clinical follow-up was performed at 1 and 12 months. In-stent late loss at 9 months was 0.29±0.60 versus 0.13±0.69 mm in patients allocated to sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting stent, respectively. The observed difference in in-stent late loss between both groups was -0.16 mm (95% confidence interval, 0.04 to -0.36 mm; P for noninferiority <0.01). The rate of binary angiographic restenosis was 10.8% and 9.1% in patients allocated to sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting stent, respectively (P=0.709), whereas the rate of vessel reocclusion was 3.2% and 1.1%, respectively (P=0.339). At 12 months, the rate of major adverse events was 15.9% versus 11.1% with sirolimus- and everolimus-eluting stent, respectively (P=0.335), and probable or definitive stent thrombosis occurred in 3.0% and 0.0% of patients, respectively (P=0.075).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with coronary total occlusions, everolimus-eluting stent is as effective as sirolimus-eluting stent.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00793221.

Five-year outcomes in patients with chronic total coronary occlusion treated with drug-eluting vs bare-metal stents: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Limited data exist on long-term safety and effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DESs) in true chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) settings. We evaluated 5-year clinical outcomes of patients with CTO treated successfully with DES vs bare-metal stent (BMS).

METHODS

We compared the 5-year clinical outcomes of 156 patients treated with DES implantation with outcomes of a historical cohort of 159 patients treated with BMS. Primary end point was freedom from major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; defined as death, myocardial infarction [MI], and target lesion revascularization [TLR]); secondary end points were freedom from target vessel failure (TVF; combination of target vessel revascularization, MI, and cardiac death) and TLR at 5 years.

RESULTS

After 5 years, the DES group had significantly superior event-free survival from MACE (84% vs 69%; log rank P < 0.001), TVF (71% vs 84%; P = 0.002), and TLR (77% vs 92%; P = 0.0001), compared with the BMS group. The Cox proportional hazards model identified BMS vs DES (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 3.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.85-6.17; P = 0.001), final minimal lumen diameter (HR, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.14-0.52; P = 0.0001), and stent length (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; P = 0.03) as independent predictors of MACE at 5-year follow-up. Twelve (7%) and 7 (4%) stent thromboses occurred in the DES and BMS groups (P = 0.23), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

After 5 years, DESs were superior to BMSs in reducing MACE, TVF, and TLR in patients with CTO and should be the preferred strategy.

Paclitaxel-coated balloon with bare-metal stenting in patients with chronic total occlusions in native coronary arteries

OBJECTIVES

We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel-coated balloon plus bare-metal stenting (BMS) in chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

BACKGROUND

Drug-eluting stent implantation after recanalization of CTOs is limited by the occurrence of restenosis and risk for late stent thromboses.

METHODS

In this prospective, bicenter trial we treated 48 patients after successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization in a native coronary artery with paclitaxel-coated balloon plus BMS. Patients were matched according to stent length, reference diameter, and diabetes mellitus with 48 patients treated with Taxus stent implantation. Dual antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 6 months. Angiographic (clinical) follow-up was obtained after 6 (12) months. Primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss.

RESULTS

There was no difference in patient baseline characteristics or procedural results. Stent length was 59.7 ± 32.4 mm (16-151 mm) for paclitaxel-coated balloon plus BMS versus 56.2 ± 25.9 mm (16-132 mm) for Taxus stent. Late loss was statistically not different within the stent with 0.64 ± 0.69 mm versus 0.43 ± 0.64 mm (difference 0.20 mm, 95% confidence interval -0.07 to 0.47, P = 0.14) and at the occlusion site with 0.33 ± 0.69 mm versus 0.26 ± 0.70 mm, respectively. Restenosis rate was 27.7% compared with 20.8% (P = 0.44) and the combined clinical endpoint (cardiac death, myocardial infarction attributed to the target vessel, target lesion revascularization) was 14.6% versus 18.8% (P = 0.58), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, for patients with complex CTOs in native coronary arteries the use of paclitaxel-coated balloon after bare-metal stenting was associated with similar clinical results and a nonsignificantly higher in-stent late loss compared with a matched population with paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation.

Occlusion of left main coronary artery during percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion of left circumflex artery with retrograde approach

The retrograde approach, a new technique of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusion (CTO), allows coronary interventionalists to improve the success rate. However, this technique occasionally has serious complications. We report a case with the occlusion of left main coronary artery (LMCA) during PCI for CTO in the proximal LCX with retrograde approach because of backward spiral dissection formed by retrograde wire. We could perform bail-out stenting for LMCA. In PCI for CTO in the proximal site of left coronary artery with retrograde approach, we should keep in mind a backward dissection to LMCA formed by retrograde wire.

Long-term outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusions

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for chronic total occlusions (CTO).

BACKGROUND

Despite technical advancements, there is a paucity of data on long-term outcomes after PCI of CTO.

METHODS

We evaluated long-term clinical outcomes in 1,791 patients who underwent PCI of 1,852 CTO at 3 tertiary care centers in the United States, South Korea, and Italy between 1998 and 2007. Median follow-up was 2.9 years (interquartile range: 1.5 to 4.6 years).

RESULTS

Procedural success was obtained in 1,226 (68%) patients. Stents were implanted in 1,160 patients (95%); 396 patients (34%) received bare-metal stents (BMS), and 764 patients (66%) received drug-eluting stents (DES). After multivariable analysis, successful CTO PCI was an independent predictor of a lower cardiac mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21 to 0.75, p < 0.01) and reduced need for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (HR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.13 to 0.40, p < 0.01); it also correlated with a strong trend toward lower all-cause mortality (HR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40 to 1.00, p = 0.05) at 5-year follow-up. Among patients who underwent stent implantation, treatment with DES rather than BMS resulted in less target vessel revascularization at long-term follow-up (17.2% vs. 31.1%, p < 0.01); definite/probable stent thrombosis rates were similar (DES 1.7%, BMS 2.3%, p = 0.58). Within the DES subgroup, patients treated with paclitaxel-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents had similar clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful CTO PCI is associated with reduced long-term cardiac mortality and need for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Treatment of CTO with DES rather than BMS is associated with a significant reduction in target vessel revascularization with similar rates of stent thrombosis. Paclitaxel-eluting stents and sirolimus-eluting stents had similar long-term safety and efficacy outcomes.

Everolimus-eluting stents for treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions

BACKGROUND

After successful recanalization of a coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) the risk for restenosis and subsequent need for repeat intervention is high. Everolimus-eluting stents (EESs) were associated with low rates of restenosis, reintervention and stent thrombosis in non-occluded lesions. We sought to determine the antiproliferative impact of the everolimus-eluting Xience V stent in CTOs.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with a CTO in a native coronary artery were included. CTO was defined as a duration of occlusion ≥3 months and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 0 flow. EESs were exclusively implanted to completely cover the occluded and adjacent stenotic segments. Dual antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 6 months. Follow-up angiography was scheduled at 6 months. Clinical follow-up was done at 12 months. The primary endpoint was late loss at the initial occlusion site. Secondary clinical endpoint was a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction not clearly attributable to a non-target vessel and target lesion revascularization.

RESULTS

Mean occlusion length was 24 ± 17 mm, ranging from 4 to 74 mm. Mean stent length was 79 ± 36 mm, ranging from 18 to 158 mm. Reference diameter was 3.27 ± 0.58 mm. Late loss at the initial occlusion site was 0.22 ± 0.69 mm. There were six (11%) binary restenosis with a target lesion reintervention in three (6%) patients. There was no death, myocardial infarction or stent thrombosis within 12 months.

CONCLUSION

In patients with successful recanalization of complex CTOs the use of EESs results in a low angiographic late loss and restenosis rate without stent thrombosis throughout 12 months follow-up.

Outcome of diabetic and non-diabetic patients undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic total occlusion (CTO) treated with PCI is poorly investigated. Current study evaluates outcome of successful PCI on CTO in patients with and without diabetes.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty three patients treated with successful PCI on CTO between January 2009 and March 2011 were prospectively identified from the PCI registry at the Madani Heart Center, Tabriz, Iran. Patients were followed for 15±3 months, were evaluated for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) comprising death, acute myocardial infarction, and need for repeat revascularization.

RESULTS

No differences were found in baseline clinical and procedural variables between patients with (n=34) and without diabetes (n=129), unless for hypertension (p=0.03). Hospitalization period after PCI in diabetics (3.26±0.61 days) and non-diabetics (2.86±0.52 days) was similar. In-hospital MACE occurred in 8 (23.5%) individuals of diabetics and 10 (7.8%) individuals of non-diabetics (p=0.02), among them revascularization was significantly higher in diabetics (20.6% vs. 7%, p=0.04). Follow-up events in diabetic and non-diabetic groups were 12 (35.3%) and 37 (28.5%), respectively (p was not significant).

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing successful PCI on CTO, diabetes is associated with higher in-hospital adverse events; however diabetes does not affect long term outcomes in these patients.

[Treatment strategies for chronic total occlusion: current status and outlook]

The present article discusses the current status of treatment strategies for chronic total occlusion (CTO) and the prospects offered by new therapies. The indication for revascularisation recognized in the current European guidelines includes the presence of typical symptoms and evidence of ischemia of over 10% of the total myocardium, while in patients with multiple vascular diseases the aim is complete revascularisation. Although the vast majority of patients with CTO fulfil these criteria, they are currently not receiving interventional treatment as frequently as expected. The reasons often given for this include the low success rates and high recurrence rates. However, both problems have been improved by drug-eluting stents (DES) on the one hand and by wire techniques and strategies on the other, such that results almost comparable with non-occluded coronary lesions can be achieved. While more advanced approaches like retrograde recanalization should be restricted to specialized centres, marked improvements can be achieved even without these special techniques by means of consistent further training and the application of modern techniques. Despite the aggressiveness of these approaches to pass through an occluded artery, the complication rate is not higher than with non-occluded lesions when the specific complications of recanalization are avoided in a careful approach. Further technical improvements are expected with the use of modern imaging techniques such as intravascular ultrasound and high-resolution CT imaging of coronary arteries.

Long-term clinical outcomes of successful versus unsuccessful revascularization with drug-eluting stents for true chronic total occlusion

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of patients with successful versus unsuccessful revascularization with drug-eluting stents (DES) for chronic total occlusion (CTO).

BACKGROUND

The benefits of successful revascularization of CTO remain unclear.

METHODS

Consecutive patients (n = 333) with "true" CTO, defined as Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0 on angiography and duration ≥3 months, were divided into two groups, those with successful (CTO success group, n = 251) and unsuccessful (CTO failure group, n = 82) revascularization with DES for CTO lesions. The primary endpoint was defined as major adverse cardiac events (MACE) the composite of death, Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization (TVR).

RESULTS

The CTO success group was significantly younger, with a higher involvement of LAD, and lower incidences of renal failure, previous myocardial infarction, and previous coronary intervention than the CTO failure group. After a median follow up of 1,317 days (interquartile range, 1,059-1,590 days), there were no significant between-group differences in rate of MACE, both after crude analysis (9.4% vs. 11.8%, log-rank P = 0.16) and after adjustment (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.47-2.88, P = 0.53). On multivariate analysis, major predictors of MACE were left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) <40% (HR 3.14; 95% CI 1.39-7.09, P = 0.005) and multiple CTO (HR 2.38; 95% CI 1.01-5.71, P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term clinical outcomes were similar in the CTO success and failure groups. Multiple CTOs and LVEF <40% in CTO patients were independent predictors of MACE.

Contemporary success and complication rates of percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusions: results from the ALKK quality control registry of 2006

AIMS

Despite successful prevention of lesion recurrence by drug-eluting stents (DES), and the advancement in procedural techniques in the treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO), the number of CTOs treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still low as compared to their prevalence. This study aims to assess the outcome of PCI for CTOs in a contemporary survey of PCI in interventional centres in Germany.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The basis of this analysis is the 2006 quality assessment database of PCI conducted by the ALKK (working group of cardiology centres). Thirty-five centres contributed to this database, representing about 10% of all interventional centres of Germany. From a total of 20,502 patients, 8,882 patients with stable angina were selected. Of these 674 patients (7.6%) underwent PCI for a CTO. Their procedural characteristics and the hospital outcome were compared with patients treated for non-occlusive lesions. As compared to non-occlusive lesions, less patients underwent ad hoc PCI for a CTO. The fluoroscopy time was almost double of that in non-occlusive lesions, and contrast usage was significantly higher. The success rate was 60.1% as compared to 97.3% (p<0.001). Severe intraprocedural and in-hospital complications were similar for CTO and non-CTO lesions. Almost all patients with a CTO received a stent; DES were used in 53.4%, which was higher than the rate in non-CTO lesions (38.9%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the success rate for PCI in CTOs is still well below that in non-occlusive lesions, this procedure is safe, encouraging its wider application. The low rate of DES use did not reflect the evidence for DES in CTOs.

Meta-analysis of long-term outcomes of drug-eluting stent implantations for chronic total coronary occlusions

BACKGROUND

In the treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs), some uncertainty exists regarding the effect of drug-eluting stents (DESs) compared with the effects of bare mental stents (BMSs). We reviewed outcomes of DES vs. BMS implantation for CTO lesions, to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of DES implantation.

METHODS

Relevant studies of long-term clinical outcomes or angiographic outcomes of both BMS and DES implantation were examined. The primary endpoint comprised major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including all-cause deaths, myocardial infarctions (MIs), and target lesion revascularizations (TLRs). A fixed-effect model and random-effect model were used to analyze the pooling results.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included according to the selection criteria. Eight were nonrandomized controlled trials, and two consisted of a randomized controlled comparison between DES and BMS implantation. No significant difference was evident for in-hospital MACE rates between the two groups (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], .53 to 2.13), but the long-term MACE rates in the DES group were significantly lower than in the BMS group (OR, .22; 95% CI, .13 to .38; P < .00001). The rates of stent restenosis and reocclusions were also significantly lower in the DES group (OR, .14; 95% CI, .09 to .20; and OR, .23; 95% CI, .12 to .41, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Implantation of the DES improves long-term angiographic and clinical outcomes compared with BMS in the treatment of CTO lesions.

Off-label use of drug-eluting versus bare metal stents: a lesion-specific systematic review of long-term outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate differences in lesion-specific outcomes with the "off-label" use of drug-eluting stents (DES) versus bare metal stents (BMS).

METHODS

MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane databases, and other Web were searched for studies evaluating off-label use of DES and BMS with the same characteristics. Of 1,258 abstracts or manuscripts reviewed, 112 studies were included (total N = 23,438). Studies were excluded if patients received both types of stent or no stent; lesion type was unknown; lesion-specific outcomes for ≥6 months were unavailable; or <25 patients were enrolled.

RESULTS

Overall mortality at 6-12 months was approximately 3% for BMS and DES for off-label use. Increase in mortality was greater from 6-12 months to 2 years with BMS than with DES (3.3%-9.1%; 2.8%-4.1%); however, rates were similar at 3 years (BMS: 18.8%; DES:15.3%). Myocardial Infarction rates were similar for both types at 6-12 months (BMS: 6.5%; DES: 6.0%). Overall rates of stent thrombosis were 1.8% and 1.7% for BMS and DES, respectively. Similar or slightly lower rates of stent thrombosis were seen for most lesion types, except higher rates for small vessels for BMS (5.2%) and true bifurcation for DES (3.3%). Rates of target lesion revascularization (TLR) were 7.5% for BMS and 19.6% for DES at 6-12 months. At 2-years TLR remained lower than DES. When the combined group was compared to registry data alone, similar values were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and stent thrombosis were similar in patients receiving BMS or DES, while TLR rates were lower in DES patients.

Efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stents compared with paclitaxel-eluting stents in an unselected population with coronary artery disease: 24-month outcomes of patients in a prospective non-randomized registry in Southern Turkey

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of drug-eluting stents has been shown in randomized trials, but some controversy exists regarding which stent sirolimus-eluting or paclitaxel-eluting is more effective in unselected Turkish patients. Therefore, we investigated the clinical outcomes of patients who were treated with one type of these drug-eluting stents in the real world.

METHODS

We created a registry and prospectively analyzed data on a consecutive series of all patients who presented to our institution with symptomatic coronary artery disease between February 2005 and March 2007 and who were treated with the sirolimus- or the paclitaxel-eluting stent. The follow-up period after stent implantation was approximately 24 months. The primary end point was a major cardiac event, and the secondary end point was stent thrombosis. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects, and the study protocol was approved by the local ethical committee.

RESULTS

In total, 204 patients were treated with either the sirolimus-eluting stent (n = 103) or the paclitaxel-eluting stent (n = 101). The lesions in the 2 arms of the study were treated similarly by conventional technique. At 24-month follow-up, patients who received the paclitaxel-eluting stent showed significantly higher rates of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (1.9% vs 5.9%; P: .002), target vessel revascularization (1.9% vs 4.9%; P: .002), coronary artery bypass graft surgery (1.9% vs 6.9%; P: .001), and late stent thrombosis (1.9% vs 3.9%, P: .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who received the sirolimus-eluting stent showed better clinical outcomes compared with those who had the paclitaxel-eluting-stent.

Clinical safety and efficacy of a novel thin-strut cobalt-chromium coronary stent system: results of the real world Coroflex Blue Registry

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this registry was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Coroflex Blue cobalt-chromium stent in real-world practice.

BACKGROUND

The development of cobalt-chromium bare-metal stents (BMS) with thinner struts has lead to better deliverability and lower target-lesion revascularization rates compared with stainless steel BMS.

METHODS

The Coroflex Blue Registry was an international, prospective, multicenter registry enrolling patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease attributable to single de novo or restenotic nonstented lesions of a single vessel amenable for percutaneous stenting. The primary end point was clinically driven target-lesion revascularisation (TLR) 6 months after enrolment, secondary endpoints were technical/procedural success, in-hospital outcome, definite stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiac events (death, myocardial infarction, or TLR) after 6 months.

RESULTS

The registry included 2,315 patients (mean age 64.3 +/- 11.1 years, 19.8% diabetes, 37.3% acute myocardial infarction). Although a complex lesion cohort with 60.3% Typ B(2)/C-lesions, the technical success rate was 99.1% and the procedural success rate 98.5%. The incidence of TLR after 6 months was 5.5% and the cumulative 6-month acute/subacute stent thrombosis rate was 1.6%. After 6 months cumulative event-free survival was 90.8% in all patients and 87% in patients with acute PCI for acute myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

This registry demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the Coroflex Blue cobalt-chromium stent platform in real-world practice. In the era of drug-eluting stents (DES), these results raise the serious question if the use of DES for primary prevention of restenosis and TLR is really justified.