Successful opening in-stent chronic total occlusion lesion of coronary artery by excimer laser coronary angioplasty

In percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronic total occlusion (CTO) coronary artery disease still remains difficult to treat. One of the reasons for the failure is the hard of the CTO lesions that balloon is difficult to pass through or expand. Previous methods to deal with CTO lesions that cannot be passed by balloon, include selecting reinforced catheter (such as 5 in 6 guiding catheter, Guidzilla catheter, or Tornus microcatheter), guidewire extrusion or rotary grinding technology. In recent years, excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) has been gradually applied to CTO lesions. Using inert halide as the laser medium, ELCA emits a 308 nm high-intensity unidirectional light wave with absorption depth of only 50 μmL, resulting in less thermal effect and less damage to non-target lesions. In this paper, we will describe a successful PCI case of an in-stent CTO lesion using ELCA with long term coronary angiography follow-up.

Determinants of percutaneous coronary intervention success in repeat chronic total occlusion procedures following an initial failed attempt

AIM To investigate the rates and determinants of success of repeat percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) following an initial failed attempt at recanalising the chronic total occlusions(CTO) percutaneously.METHODS In 445 consecutive first attempt CTO-PCI procedures in our institution,procedural failure occurred in 149(33.5%). Sixty-four re-PCI procedures were performed in 58 patients(39%) all had a single CTO. Procedural and outcome data in the re-PCI population was entered into the institutional database. A retrospective analysis of clinical,angiographic and procedural data was performed. RESULTS Procedural success was achieved in 41(64%) procedures. Univariate analysis of clinical and angiographic characteristics showed that re-PCI success was associated with intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) guidance(19.5% vs 0%,P = 0.042),while failure was associated with severecalcification(30.4% vs 9.7%,P = 0.047) and a JCTO score > 3(56.5% vs 17.1% P = 0.003). Following multiple regression analysis the degree of lesion complexity(J-CTO score > 3),IVUS use,involvement of an experienced CTO operator and LAD CTO location were significant predictors of successful re-PCI. Overall the complication rate was low,with the only MACCE two periprocedural MI's neither of which required intervention. CONCLUSION Re-PCI substantially increases the overall success rate of CTO revascularization. Predictors of re-PCI success included the use of IVUS,the involvement of an experienced CTO operator in the repeat attempt and the location of the CTO.

Various Scoring Systems for Predicting Revascularization of Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Successful revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) by percutaneous?coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) compared with CTO PCI failure. The developments of new strategies and new devices have improved the success rate of CTO PCI. However, the complexity of CTO lesions, clinical characteristics of patients and operator experience highly determine the successful revascularization. Using search items,?“chronic total occluion”,?“percutaneous coronary intervention”,?“scoring systems”,?“predictablity”.?We searched Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CNKI. We found six clinically used scoring systems from 2011 to 2018. They included J-CTO score, CT-RECTOR score, CL score, PROGRESS CTO score, ORA score, and Ellis score. All parameters of each scoring systems have been systematically reviewed. The patients with higher score have found to have?adecreased?probability of CTO recanalization. Ellis score that mainly focused on ambiguous proximal cap and hybrid approach seems to provide better predictability in deciding procedure strategy.

Optimal use of fielder XT guidewire enhances the success rate of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND Chronic total occlusion(CTO) is found in 18-31% of patients who undergo coronary angiography. Successful recanalization of CTOs is associated with reduced recurrent angina pectoris rates and increased long-term survival.Although the success rate of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention(CTO-PCI)has improved, CTO-PCI remains technically challenging. The Fielder XT guidewire was designed for CTO lesions. To validate whether the use of the guidewire increases the success rate, we compared the results of CTO-PCI with or without the guidewire. We hypothesized that the use of Fielder XT guidewire can increase the success rate of CTO-PCI.AIM To investigate whether the use of Fielder XT guidewire increases the final procedural success of CTO-PCI via the anterograde approach.METHODS Between January 2013 and December 2015, a retrospective study was conducted on 1230 consecutive patients with CTO who received PCI via the anterograde approach at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command. The patients were divided into an XT Group(n = 686) and a no-XT Group(n = 544) depending on whether Fielder XT guidewire was used. Both groups were compared for clinical parameters, lesion-related characteristics, procedural outcomes and inhospital complications. The data were statistically analyzed using Pearson's χ~2 test for categorical variables, and Students' t test was used to compare the quantitative data. Significant independent factors and a risk ratio with 95%confidence interval(CI) were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS In total, 1230 patients were recruited; 75.4% of the patients were male, and 55.8%of the patients were in the XT group. The overall success rate was 83.9%, with87.8% in the XT group. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors positively associated with procedural success were the use of Fielder XT guidewire(P = 0.005, 95%CI: 1.172-2.380) and systolic blood pressure(P = 0.011,95%CI: 1.003-1.022), while factors negatively associated with procedural success were blunt stump(P = 0.013, 95%CI: 1.341-11.862), male sex(P = 0.016, 95%CI:0.363-0.902), New York Heart Association(NYHA) class(P = 0.035, 95%CI: 0.553-0.979), contrast amount(P = 0.018, 95%CI: 0.983-0.998) and occlusion time(P =0.009, 95%CI: 0.994-0.999). No significant differences were found between the XT group and the no-XT group with respect to clinical parameters, lesion-related characteristics, coronary artery rupture [3(0.4%) vs 8(1.5%), P = 0.056], inhospital death [2(0.3%) vs 6(1.1%), P = 0.079] or in-hospital target lesion revascularization [3(0.4%) vs 7(1.3%), P < 0.099]. However, there were significant differences between the groups with respect to success rate [602(87.8%) vs 430(79.0%), P < 0.001], procedure time [(74 ± 23) vs(83 ± 21), P < 0.001], stent length[(32.0 ± 15.8) vs(37.3 ± 17.6), P < 0.001], contrast amount [(148 ± 46) vs(166 ± 43),P < 0.001], post-PCI myocardial infarction [43(6.3%) vs 59(10.8%), P = 0.004],major adverse cardiovascular event [44(6.4%) vs 57(10.7%), P = 0.007], side branch loss [31(4.5%) vs 44(8.1%), P = 0.009], contrast-induced nephropathy [29(4.2%) vs 40(7.4%), P = 0.018] and no reflow [8(1.2%) vs 14(2.9%), P = 0.034].CONCLUSION The use of Fielder XT guidewire shortens the Procedure and increases the success rate of CTO-PCI, and is also associated with reduced complication rates.

A simple practical balloon anchoring technique within the guide catheter for chronic total occlusion (CTO) of the coronary artery

Dear Editor： Chronic total occlusions （CTOs） of the coronary artery are commonly encountered complex lesionst11. Percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for CTO is technically challenging due to low procedural success ratesTM. Microcatheter is one of the important devices for treatment of CTOTM. It has been widely used attributed to the excellent crossability whenever angula- tion and tortuousity of the coronary artery is encoun- tered. In the process, the microcatheter has to be withdrawn from the guide wire after the wire is proved to locate in the true lumen.

Effects of Tirofiban and Nicorandil on Effective Reperfusion and the Levels of IL-4 and sICAM-1 After PCI for Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion

Aim:The effects of tirofiban combined with nicorandil on effective reperfusion,and the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4)and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)for chronic coronary total occlusion(CTO)were investigated.Method:From January 1,2017,to June 31,2019,a total of 40 patients with CTO receiving PCI in Shandong Qian-foshan Hospital were randomly divided into a control group(treated with single tirofiban)and a cocktail group(treated with nicorandil combined with tirofiban).Effective reperfusion was compared between groups.In addition,differences in coronary serum IL-4 and sICAM-1 levels before and 10 min after the operation were compared between groups,and the incidence rates of adverse reactions were observed.Finally,patient follow-up occurred at 1 month and 6 months,and the total incidence rates of adverse cardiac events in both groups were assessed.Results:The levels of IL-4 and sICAM-1 in the cocktail group significantly decreased after the operation(P<0.05).In addition,after the operation,significantly greater decreases in the IL-4 and sICAM-1 levels were observed in the cocktail group than the control group(P<0.05).The Seattle Angina Scale(SAQ)score of the cocktail group,compared with the control group,showed a significant improvement after vessel opening in the patients with CTO.At the 1-month follow-up,the SAQ score of the cocktail group,compared with the control group,indicated further improvements in terms of angina attack frequency.No significant differences were observed in the incidence rates of adverse reactions between groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The treatment of patients with CTO undergoing PCI with nicorandil and tirofiban alleviated the inflam-matory response,improved the SAQ scores,and decreased the occurrence of angina pectoris in patients.Moreover,this treatment is safe and reliable,and has important clinical significance.

Percutaneous Intervention of CTO Lesion and Non-CTO Lesion in Patients with Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion

Background: With the improved lifestyle of people, the incidence of coronary artery disease is gradually increasing. Approximately 15% - 20% of patients undergoing diagnostic catheterization had one or more chronically occluded coronary arteries. Method: The patients who were diagnosed with chronic total occlusion (CTO) in our hospital within one year period have been included. They were initially divided into two groups based on angiographic reports: single vessel disease (SVD) and non-single vessel disease (non-SVD) group, then into optimal medical therapy (OMT) group, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) group.?Finally, PCI group is further divided into PCI of CTO lesion (CTO PCI group) and PCI?of non-CTO lesion (non-CTO PCI group). Results: A total of 261 patients were enrolled as CTO patients, mean age was 62.83 years, 70.1% were male patients.?The incidence rate of common risk factors was hypertension (64.4%), followed by smoking (48.3%), diabetes (34.5%) and hyperlipidaemia (27.2%).?SVD, DVD and TVD were present in 39 patients (14.94%), 81 patients (31.03%)?and 141 patients (54.02%) respectively. Comparing the long term efficacy, the rates of MACE and non-target vessel revascularization were higher in CTO PCI than non-CTO PCI group, and were statistically significant (p s of target vessel revascularization, CABG and all cause death were also lower in CTO PCI group, but were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The rates of MACE, non-target vessel revascularization, CABG and all cause death are lower if PCI is successfully performed in CTO patients. CTO PCI success also improves quality of life, decreases myocardial ischemia induced angina, and overall improves long term efficacy.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function after Percutaneous Recanalization of Chronic Coronary Occlusions: The Role of Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Background: The recanalization of a chronic total coronary occlusion is the possible way to improve left ventricular (LV) function through the recovery of hibernating myocardium. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of 2D speckle tracking in evaluation of the left ventricular (LV) systolic function in chronic total occlusion (CTO) patients before and at 1 day as well as 3 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study included 40 patients diagnosed with coronary angiography to have a chronic total occlusion. Percutaneous coronary revascularization was performed according to standard practices with the femoral approach. Conventional 2D echocardiography was used to assess LV functions and wall motion abnormalities scoring index (WMAI). Using speckle-tracking echocardiography was to measure global longitudinal strain (GLS) and. Follow-up of patients was done at day 1 and 3 months later after PCI. Results: Forty patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 58.55 ± 7.98 years. GLS and WMAI difference at baseline and follow-up shows a positive correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) changes at baseline and follow-up (p Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence to support the clinical use of 2D-STE to monitor the early changes of LV function. In patients undergoing CTO revascularization, change in GLS was more sensitive predictors for LV function improvement at 3-month follow-up.

Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion

Coronary artery chronic total occlusion(CTO)is defi ned as an occluded coronary artery segment without anterograde fl ow for at least three months.It can be classified as a“true”or“functional”CTO based on flow characteristics.In“true”CTO,there is no anterograde flow.In“functional”CTO,there is minimal anterograde flow through the occluded segment of the coronary artery.CTO is a common fi nding during coronary angiography and its prevalence may vary depending on the reported literature.Among patients without previous coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG),CTO is found in about 20–30% of the patients.CTO may develop insidiously over a period of time and involve a complex interplay between intracellular and extracellular factors,smooth muscle and foam cells,calcifi cation,and neovascularization.There is a growing body of evidence to support that CTO revascularization may improve clinical outcome when compared to medical management.Both the European and American cardiovascular societies support CTO revascularization with a class 2a recommendation(level of evidence B).Historically,due to low procedural success rate,apparent ineffi cient resource utilization,potential increase in complication rates and uncertain clinical benefi ts,only about 10–20%of patients with CTO are treated with percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Recent advances using novel and innovative techniques with dedicated equipment have signifi cantly improved the procedural success rate for CTO PCI to about 90%in the hands of experienced operators.With increasing interest in CTO PCI coupled with increased educational effort,CTO PCI likely will become more accessible to patients in need of CTO revascularization.Ongoing advancement in innovative techniques and equipment will continue to improve procedural success rates and reduce procedural complication rate for CTO PCI.Furthermore,there are a number of prospective clinical trials on the horizon which should help defi ne the clinical benefi ts and limitations of CTO PCI in the near future.

Intravascular ultrasound-guided “extended” reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking technique using a cutting balloon for recanalizing chronic coronary total occlusion with a side branch

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusion (CTO) represents the most technically challenging procedure in contemporary interventional cardiology.[1] Blunt lesions and presence of proximal side branch are considered to be strong predictors of reduced technical success.[ 2,3] For such lesions, the antegrade approach may not be feasible or desirable, and the retrograde approach can be used as the initial crossing strategy. However, when treating the blunt CTO with a large side branch proximal to the occlusion, the side branch might be occluded after stent implantation if the retrograde guidewire passed the occluded segment through the subintimal space and re-entered into the true lumen at the opposite side of the side branch.[4] We reported a useful method to solve the above issue which utilizes intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to guide “extended” reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde subintimal tracking (CART) technique with a cutting balloon.

Improved Angina Symptoms Following Coronary Sinus Flow Reducer Implantation in a Patient with Refractory Angina and Chronic Total Occlusion: A Case Report

Background: Due to the aging population and increased survival of the patients with coronary artery disease, there is an increasing number of patients with debilitating angina refractory to optimal medical treatment who are not candidates for revascularization. In case of low ischemic load, the treatment of stable refractory angina is aimed at symptom reduction. There are several new treatment methods targeting myocardial ischemia available, including coronary sinus flow reducer (CFR) implantation. Case Report: We report a case of a patient suffering from CCS class IV angina despite optimal medical therapy, with further revascualrization options exhausted, who was successfully treated with coronary sinus flow reducer (CFR). Besides technical skill to reach ostium of coronary sinus, the most important technical tip is precise positioning of the CFR. The reduction of angina symptoms started after epithelisation of CFR frame, usually 6 - 7 weeks after implantation. At 6-month follow-up, the patient reported a marked reduction of angina symptoms, with CCS grade improving by three classes (from IV to I). At 10-month follow-up, the sustainment of CCS grade I angina symptoms was reported by the patient. Conclusions: We conclude that CFR can be safely and successfully implanted in patients suffering from refractory angina. Considerable improvements in CCS grade may be experienced in certain cases.

Visfatin and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D_(3) Levels Affect Coronary Collateral Circulation Development in Patients with Chronic Coronary Total Occlusion

Background:Coronary collateral circulation(CCC)plays a vital role in the myocardial blood supply,especially for ischemic myocardium.Evidence suggests that the visfatin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D_(3)[25(OH)D_(3)]levels are related to the degree and incidence of vascular stenosis associated with coronary artery disease;however,few studies have evaluated the effect of visfatin and 25(OH)D_(3) on CCC development in patients with chronic total occlusion(CTO).This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the serum visfatin and 25(OH)D_(3) levels and CCC in patients with CTO.Methods:A total of 189 patients with CTO confirmed by coronary angiography were included.CCC was graded from 0 to 3 according to the Rentrop-Cohen classification.Patients with grade 0 or grade 1 collateral development were in-cluded in the poor CCC group(n=82),whereas patients with grade 2 or grade 3 collateral development were included in the good CCC group(n=107).The serum visfatin and 25(OH)D_(3) levels were measured by ELISA.Results:The visfatin level was significantly higher in the poor CCC group than in the good CCC group,and the 25(OH)D_(3) level was significantly lower in the poor CCC group than in the good CCC group(P=0.000).Correlation analysis showed that the Rentrop grade was negatively correlated with the visfatin level(r=−0.692,P=0.000)but positively correlated with the 25(OH)D_(3) level(r=0.635,P=0.000).Logistic regression analysis showed that the vis-fatin and 25(OH)D_(3) levels were independent risk factors for CCC(odds ratio 1.597,95%confidence interval 1.300-1.961,P=0.000 and odds ratio 0.566,95%confidence interval 0.444-0.722,P=0.000,respectively).The visfatin and 25(OH)D_(3) levels can effectively predict the CCC status.Conclusion:Serum visfatin and 25(OH)D_(3) levels are related to CCC development and are independent predictors of poor CCC.

Staged Revascularization for Chronic Total Occlusion in the Non-IRA in Patients with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention:An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives:Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of staged revascularization with concomitant chronic total occlusion(CTO)in the non-infarct-associated artery(non-IRA)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention(p-PCI).Methods:Various electronic databases were searched for studies published from inception to June,2021.The primary endpoint was all-cause death,and the secondary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiac events(MACEs).Odds ratios(ORs)were pooled with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for dichotomous data.Results:Seven studies involving 1540 participants were included in thefinal analysis.Pooled analyses revealed that patients with successful staged revascularization for CTO in non-IRA with STEMI treated with p-PCI had overall lower all-cause death compared with the occluded CTO group(OR,0.46;95%CI,0.23–0.95),cardiac death(OR,0.43;95%CI,0.20–0.91),MACEs(OR,0.47;95%CI,0.32–0.69)and heart failure(OR,0.57;95%CI,0.37–0.89)com-pared with the occluded CTO group.No significant differences were observed between groups regarding myocardial infarction and repeated revascularization.Conclusions:Successful revascularization of CTO in the non-IRA was associated with better outcomes in patients with STEMI treated with p-PCI.

Role of fibrinogen,albumin and fibrinogen to albumin ratio in determining angiographic severity and outcomes in acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic unmasked the huge deficit in healthcare resources worldwide.It highlighted the need for efficient risk stratification in management of cardiovascular emergencies.AIM To study the applicability of the old,available and affordable nonconventional biomarkers:albumin and fibrinogen in their ability to predict angiographic severity and clinical outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).METHODS In this prospective,observational study,166 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled.Fibrinogen,albumin and their ratio were determined from serum.Patients with underlying chronic liver disease,active malignancy,autoimmune disease,active COVID-19 infection and undergoing thrombolysis were excluded.RESULTS Mean age of the population was 60.5±1.5 years,74.1%being males.ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)was most common presentation of ACS seen in 57%patients.Fibrinogen albumin ratio(FAR)≥19.2,had a sensitivity of 76.9%and specificity of 78.9%[area under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUROC)=0.8,P=0.001]to predict≤thrombolysis in myocardial infarction(TIMI)1 flow in culprit artery in STEMI patients.Even in non-STEMI patients,FAR≥18.85 predicted the same with 80%sensitivity and 63%specificity(AUROC=0.715,P=0.006).CONCLUSION Novel biomarkers,with their high cost,lack of availability and long turn over time are impractical for real-world use.Identifying≤TIMI 1 flow in the culprit artery has significant impact of management and outcome.Our study has shown that readily available biomarkers like fibrinogen and albumin can help identify these high-risk patients with good accuracy.This allows risk-stratification and individualization of treatment in ACS.

Subintimal recanalization for non-acute occlusion of intracranial vertebral artery in an emergency endovascular procedure:A case report

BACKGROUND Endovascular recanalization of non-acute intracranial artery occlusion is technically difficult,particularly when the microwire enters the subintima.Although the subintimal tracking and re-entry technique has been well established in the endovascular treatment of coronary artery occlusion,there is limited experience with its use in intracranial occlusion due to anatomical variations and a lack of dedicated devices.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old man was admitted to the hospital two days after experiencing acute weakness in both lower extremities,poor speech,and dizziness.After admission,imaging revealed acute ischemic stroke and non-acute occlusion of bilateral intracranial vertebral arteries(ICVAs).On the fourth day of admission,the patient's condition deteriorated and an emergency endovascular recanalization of the left ICVA was performed.During this procedure,a microwire was advanced in the subintima of the vessel wall and successfully reentered the distal true lumen.Two stents were implanted in the subintima.The patient's Modified Rankin Scale was 1 at three months postoperatively.CONCLUSION We present a technical case of subintimal recanalization for non-acute ICVA occlusion in an emergency endovascular procedure.However,we emphasize the necessity for caution when applying the subintimal tracking approach in intracranial occlusion due to the significant dangers involved.

Chronic total occlusion:To treat or not to treat

Over the last two decades,there has been increasing interest in new techniques for the percutaneous treatment of coronary chronic total occlusions(CTO),which have a success rate that is much higher than that of a few years ago.The rise in percutaneous treatment for these lesions is due to its ability to improve the symptoms and prognosis of patients in the chronic and stable phase of coronary disease.Current data suggest that successful percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO is associated with improvement in patient symptoms,quality of life,left ventricular function,and survival,compared with those with unsuccessful CTO PCI.However,all the scientific evidence supporting this treatment comes from observational studies,and no randomized study comparing percutaneous treatment with medical treatment has yet been published.A major limitation of these studies is their observational design,with limited information with regard to potential baseline differences between the successful vs unsuccessful cohorts.Pending randomized studies,patients should be selected very carefully,especially if they are asymptomatic or very few symptoms,and the benefits obtained in terms of complications during the procedure,the quality of life obtained and further ischemic events avoided should be evaluated systematically.In this review,we will consider the available information supporting percutaneous treatment for chronic occlusions,as well as the areas of uncertainty where more research projects are required.

Intravascular ultrasound guided retrograde guidewire true lumen tracking technique for chronic total occlusion intervention

Chronic total occlusion （CTO） occurs in approximately 20% known coronary atherosclerotic lesions, and CTO intervention has become a most challenging work. Although retrograde techniques have been applied and significantly increased the success rate of CTO intervention, there are still some CTOs that cannot be opened.

A new buddy stingray and stick technique for antegrade dissection and re-entry during chronic total occlusion recanalization: a case report

Although the retrograde approach was a promising strategy for chronic total occlusions(CTO)-percutaneous coronary interventions(PCI),[1]with the development of coronary interventional therapy technology and interventional instruments,antegrade dissection and re-entry(ADR)are commonly employed in PCI to open CTO of coronary arteries.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of totally occluded coronary venous bypass grafts:An exercise in futility?

BACKGROUND Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)of diseased saphenous vein grafts(SVG)continues to pose a clinical challenge.Current PCI guidelines give a class III recommendation against performing PCI on chronically occluded SVG.However,contemporary outcomes after SVG intervention have incrementally improved with distal protection devices,intracoronary vasodilators,drug-eluting stents,and prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy.AIM To reassess the procedural and long-term outcomes of PCI for totally occluded SVG with contemporary techniques.METHODS This was a retrospective observational study conducted at a single university hospital.The study population consisted of 35 consecutive patients undergoing PCI of totally occluded SVG.Post-procedure dual antiplatelet therapy was continued for a minimum of one year and aspirin was continued indefinitely.Clinical outcomes were assessed at a mean follow-up of 1221±1038 d.The primary outcome was freedom from a major adverse cardiac event(MACE)defined as the occurrence of any of the following:death,myocardial infarction,stroke,repeat bypass surgery,repeat PCI,or graft reocclusion.RESULTS The study group included 29 men and 6 women with a mean age of 69±12 years.Diabetes was present in 14(40%)patients.All patients had Canadian Heart Classification class III or IV angina.Clinical presentation was an acute coronary syndrome in 34(97%)patients.Mean SVG age was 12±5 years.Estimated duration of occlusion was acute(<24 h)in 34%of patients,subacute(>24 h to 30 d)in 26%,and late(>30 d)in 40%.PCI was initially successful in 29/35 SVG occlusions(83%).Total stent length was 52±35 mm.Intraprocedural complications of distal embolization or no-reflow occurred in 6(17%)patients.During longer term follow-up,MACE-free survival was only 30%at 3 years and 17%at 5 years.CONCLUSION PCI of totally occluded SVG can be performed with a high procedural success rate.However,its clinical utility remains limited by poor follow-up outcomes.

Chronic total occlusion revascularization:A complex piece to"complete"the puzzle

Treatment of coronary chronic total occlusion(CTO)with percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)has rapidly increased during the past decades.Different strategies and approach were developed in the recent past years leading to an increase in CTO-PCI procedural success.The goal to achieve an extended revascularization with a high rate of completeness is now supported by strong scientific evidences and consequently,has led to an exponential increase in the number of CTO-PCI procedures,even if are still underutilized.It has been widely demonstrated that complete coronary revascularization,achieved by either coronary artery bypass graft or PCI,is associated with prognostic improvement,in terms of increased survival and reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events.The application of“contemporary”strategies aimed to obtain a state-of-the-art revascularization by PCI allows to achieve long-term clinical benefit,even in highrisk patients or complex coronary anatomy with CTO.The increasing success of CTO-PCI,allowing a complete or reasonable incomplete coronary revascularization,is enabling to overcome the last great challenge of interventional cardiology,adding a“complex”piece to“complete”the puzzle.