Chronic Total Occlusions, challenging but very possible

Original title: Predictors of Reocclusion After Successful Drug-Eluting Stent–Supported Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusion. The Florence CTO PCI Registry. Reference: Renato Valenti et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2013; article in press.

Previous registry data have shown a reduction in mortality rates in patients with successful recanalization of a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) compared to patients with failed CTO recanalization or to those not intervened. 

Intuitively, this survival benefit is associated to sustained vessel patency. The goal of this study was to assess reocclusion incidence and identification of predictors of reocclusion after successful DES supported chronic coronary recanalization.

Procedure was indicated when viable myocardium in the occluded vessel territory was objected, when no angiographic characteristic was considered as a contraindication for recanalization. The primary objective was reocclusion of vessel with angiographic follow up. Between 2003 and 2011 at least one CTO in 1035 consecutive patients was attempted. From this total, 802 patients (77%) of procedures were successful. Angiographic follow up was performed to 82% of the eligible population, the rest were free of angina. 

The primary end point (reocclusion rate) was 7.5% in general with a significant difference between 1st generation DES (Cypher and Taxus) vs. Xience V (10.1% vs. 3% respectively; p=0.001). At one year, mortality was 3.2%, infarction 0.9% and revascularization 12.8% for the general population. Major cardiovascular events were significantly less with Xience V vs. 1st generation DES (11.6% vs. 19% respectively; p=0.005) mainly due to a lower revascularization.

Conclusion 

Recanalization of a CTO is associated to a low incidence of reocclusion of the treated vessel.

Editorial Comment:

There are limitations, as in any other registry, the absence of randomization and the fact that the experience involves only one site; on the other hand, this is the largest evaluation of DES supported CTO with angiographic follow up. Initial success was 77% more than acceptable taking into account that no angiographic characteristic was a contraindication and that once success was achieved a revascularization rate of 10.5% with everolimus DES is better yet. This work does not encourage further attempts to gain experience in recanalization.

SOLACI.ORG

More articles by this author

AHA 2024 | SUMMIT

It has been previously shown that the pharmacological treatment of obesity (semaglutide) can reduce cardiovascular events in patients with cardiac failure (CF) and preserved...

AHA 2024 – BPROAD

Hypertension (elevated blood pressure, BP) is the most common comorbidity among diabetic patients and has been associated with higher cardiovascular risk, though as a...

Coronary Artery Disease in Aortic Stenosis: CABG + SAVR vs. TAVR + PCI: Data from Spanish Centers

Multiple randomized studies have shown comparable or superior efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) vs. coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).  However, many of...

Evolution of Small Balloon-Expandable Valves

Small aortic rings (20 mm) have posed a significant challenge for both surgery and transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) due to their association with an...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Long Term Results of the International Chimney Registry

The International Chimney Registry was an observational study aimed at assessing the use of chimney stenting during TAVR either to predict or treat coronary...

CANNULATE TAVR extended study: Impact of Commissural and Coronary Alignment in Coronary Cannulation Following TAVR with Evolut Fx

The new valve Evolut FX has shown better commissural alignment vs. its predecessor Evolut Pro+. Prior studies have already shown commissure alignment facilitates post...

TRISCEND II: Transcatheter Replacement vs. Medical Treatment for Tricuspid Regurgitation

The EVOQUE device is designed with an intra-annular sealing system that provides excellent anatomical compatibility and an adaptable shape. It is currently available in...