EuroPCR 2022 | The IMPROVED-CTO Trial

PCI success rate in chronic total occlusion (CTO), according to some registries, is below 80%. These failed revascularization procedures might lead to quality-of-life deterioration and shorter survival. This concern has driven the development of new techniques and technologies in an attempt to increase PCI success. Today, approximately 20% of CTOs are treated with a second procedure.

EuroPCR 2022 | The IMPROVED-CTO Trial

In this study, CTO plaque was modified with a technique also called Investment Technique, which consists of intentional dilation from proximal to distal cap with balloon, in patients with failed CTO PCI, aiming at improved success rate at repeat attempts. 

The aim was to determine whether drug coated balloons (DCB) could simplify a future procedure, reduce adverse events and improve procedural success vs. conventional balloons. 

This randomized multicenter study on 371 CTO patients, 44 with failed initial PCI (they randomized 22 patients to DCB and 22 to conventional balloon angioplasty). Primary end point was procedural success of second procedure, done 3 months after the first. Secondary end points were procedure duration, complexity, adverse events after one year and changes in quality of life. 

Read also: EuroPCR 2022 | Jenavalve Trilogy System: Valve for Severe Aortic Regurgitation.

The use of DCB resulted in increased procedural success the second time around, though non-significant (90% vs 81.8%), reduced procedural duration (33 vs 60min), lower amount of contrast (170 vs 334ml), reduced radiation exposure (1.7 vs 3.2 Gy). The composite of MACE at one year in addition to contrast induced nephropathy was better with DCB.

Dr. Omar Tupayachi

Dr. Omar Tupayachi.
Member of the Editorial Board of SOLACI.org.

Source: Presented by Amat-Santos, I. en EuroPCR 2022, París, Francia.


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Get the latest scientific articles on interventional cardiology

More articles by this author

Plaque Ruptures in Non-Culprit Arteries: Follow-Up With Intravascular Imaging

Plaque rupture remains one of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms in acute coronary syndromes. However, not all ruptures manifest clinically as ischemia, myocardial infarction,...

OCT-Detected High-Risk Plaques Predict Recurrent Events After Myocardial Infarction

After a myocardial infarction (MI), non-culprit lesions are often deferred when they are not flow-limiting (negative FFR). However, these lesions continue to represent an...

Ticagrelor vs Clopidogrel in ACS Patients Receiving DOAC After PCI: More Bleeding Without Ischemic Benefit?

In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who require direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) and undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), current guidelines recommend a dual...

EuroPCR 2026 | 10-Year Left Main PCI: When Survival Is Similar, Should the Less Invasive Strategy Prevail?

The primary goal of revascularization in left main coronary artery disease (LMCA) is to improve survival. However, debate continues regarding whether, in anatomically suitable...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img
Jornadas Guatemala 2026

Recent Articles

Coronary Obstruction During TAVI: A New Volumetric Index to Consider

Coronary obstruction during TAVI is an uncommon but potentially catastrophic complication, particularly in valve-in-valve procedures, in anatomies with small sinuses of Valsalva, low coronary...

EARLY TAVR: Impact of Age on Outcomes of Early TAVR in Asymptomatic Patients

Asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis represents an increasingly common clinical challenge. Although current guidelines recommend intervention once symptoms develop or left ventricular dysfunction occurs, concerns...

Plaque Ruptures in Non-Culprit Arteries: Follow-Up With Intravascular Imaging

Plaque rupture remains one of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms in acute coronary syndromes. However, not all ruptures manifest clinically as ischemia, myocardial infarction,...