The coronavirus disease 2019 , caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents the pandemic of the century, with approximately 3.5 million cases and 250,000 deaths worldwide as of May 2020. Although respiratory symptoms usually dominate the clinical presentation, COVID-19 is now known to also have potentially serious cardiovascular consequences, including myocardial injury, myocarditis, acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary embolism, stroke, arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. The cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 might be related R ESUM ELa maladie à coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), caus ee par le SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronarivus-2 pour coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire aigu s evère 2), est la pand emie du siècle; en mai 2020, on d enombrait quelque 3,5 millions de cas et 250 000 d ecès dans le monde. Bien que les symptômes respiratoires dominent g en eralement le tableau clinique, on sait maintenant que la COVID-19 peut aussi avoir de graves cons equences sur le plan cardiovasculaire, par exemple des l esions myocardiques, des myocardites, des syndromes coronariens aigus, des embolies pulmonaires, des accidentsThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), 1 which infected 3,524,429 patients and was linked to 247,838 deaths worldwide as of May 4, 2020. 2 SARS-CoV-2 infection is triggered by binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is highly expressed in the nasopharynx and lungs, as well as in the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. 3 Although respiratory symptoms usually dominate the clinical presentation of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 infection might also be responsible for a variety of potentially severe cardiovascular manifestations, particularly in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. 4-6 Indeed, subjects with cardiovascular diseases do suffer worse outcomes when infected with SARS-CoV-2. 5 Moreover, COVID-19 could

Outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have improved because of advancements in equipment and techniques. With global collaboration and knowledge sharing, we have identified 7 common principles that are widely accepted as best practices for CTO-PCI.  1. Ischemic symptom improvement is the primary indication for CTO-PCI.  2. Dual coronary angiography and in-depth and structured review of the angiogram (and, if available, coronary computed tomography angiography) are key for planning and safely performing CTO-PCI.  3. Use of a microcatheter is essential for optimal guidewire manipulation and exchanges.  4. Antegrade wiring, antegrade dissection and reentry, and the retrograde approach are all complementary and necessary crossing strategies. Antegrade wiring is the most common initial technique, whereas retrograde and antegrade dissection and reentry are often required for more complex CTOs.  5. If the initially selected crossing strategy fails, efficient change to an alternative crossing technique increases the likelihood of eventual PCI success, shortens procedure time, and lowers radiation and contrast use.  6. Specific CTO-PCI expertise and volume and the availability of specialized equipment will increase the likelihood of crossing success and facilitate prevention and management of complications, such as perforation.  7. Meticulous attention to lesion preparation and stenting technique, often requiring intracoronary imaging, is required to ensure optimum stent expansion and minimize the risk of short- and long-term adverse events. These principles have been widely adopted by experienced CTO-PCI operators and centers currently achieving high success and acceptable complication rates. Outcomes are less optimal at less experienced centers, highlighting the need for broader adoption of the aforementioned 7 guiding principles along with the development of additional simple and safe CTO crossing and revascularization strategies through ongoing research, education, and training.

Since its inception in December 2006, the EuroCTO Club has strived to provide the framework for stateof-the-art chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Europe and nearby regions. Among its initiatives, the EuroCTO Club has published a set of recommendations regarding the technical aspects of CTO PCI, whose last edition dates to 2012. The EuroCTO Club consensus document discusses CTO PCI clinical indications, techniques and equipment use, as well as the qualifications of operators/centres. Given the considerable amount of progress made by this subspecialty in recent years, there is a need for an updated document that includes data from recent clinical trials and registries, information on novel devices and techniques, and an up-to-date revision on the training requirements to approach CTO PCI. The current updated consensus document of the EuroCTO Club reflects the expertise of European operators to promote the widespread application of state-of-the-art CTO PCI, not only in Europe but also across neighbouring communities.

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Our data showed how CTO PCI might significantly improve the survival and decrease MACCE occurrence at 1 year follow-up in comparison with MT and/or CABG.

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Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are commonly encountered in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Several observational studies have demonstrated that successful CTO revascularization is associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and enhanced quality of life (QOL). However, in the absence of randomized trials, its prognostic benefit for patients remains debated. Over the past decade, the interest of the interventional community in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has exponentially grown due to important developments in dedicated equipment and techniques, resulting in high success and low complication rates. Both European and American guidelines have assigned a class IIa (level of evidence B) recommendation for CTO PCI. In the current review, we focus on the impact of CTO revascularization on clinical outcomes and QOL and on appropriate patient selection, and we provide a critical assessment of the current guidelines and recommendations on CTO PCI.