CTO PCI carries low risk for procedural complications despite high success rates.

Objectives We sought to determine the contemporary prevalence and management of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) in a veteran population. Background The prevalence and management of CTOs in various populations has received limited study. Methods We collected clinical and angiographic data in consecutive patients that underwent coronary angiography at our institution between January 2011 and December 2012. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was defined as ≥50% diameter stenosis in ≥1 coronary artery. CTO was defined as total coronary artery occlusion of ≥3 month duration. Results Among 1,699 patients who underwent angiography during the study period, 20% did not have CAD, 20% had CAD and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and 60% had CAD but no prior CABG. The prevalence of CTO among CAD patients with and without prior CABG was 89% and 31%, respectively. Compared to patients without CTO, CTO patients had more comorbidities, more extensive CAD and were more frequently referred for CABG. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to any vessel was performed with similar frequency in those with and without CTO (50% vs. 53%). CTO PCI was performed in 30% of patients without and 15% of patients with prior CABG with high technical (82% and 75%, respectively) and procedural success rates (80% and 73%, respectively). Conclusions In a contemporary veteran population, coronary CTOs are highly prevalent and are associated with more extensive comorbidities and higher likelihood for CABG referral. PCI was equally likely to be performed in patients with and without CTO.

Subintimal dissection/reentry techniques are increasingly being used for crossing coronary chronic total occlusions both antegradely (using a knucle wire or the Bridgepoint system) or retrogradely (using the controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection, and reverse controlled antegrade and retrograde tracking and dissection technique). Subintimal dissection/reentry techniques can increase procedural success rates, but their subsequent clinical outcomes are poorly studied, and they appear to be associated with high rates of in-stent restenosis and repeat target lesion revascularization. In the present review, we describe in detail the chronic total occlusions subintimal dissection/reentry techniques, clarify the related terminology and summarize the published studies in this area and the current gaps of knowledge.

No abstract