Use of Intravascular Imaging During Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary Multicenter Registry

Background: Intravascular imaging can facilitate chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods and Results: We examined the frequency of use and outcomes of intravascular imaging among 619 CTO percutaneous coronary interventions performed between 2012 and 2015 at 7 US centers. Mean age was 65.4±10 years and 85% of the patients were men. Intravascular imaging was used in 38%: intravascular ultrasound in 36%, optical coherence tomography in 3%, and both in 1.45%. Intravascular imaging was used for stent sizing (26.3%), stent optimization (38.0%), and CTO crossing (35.7%, antegrade in 27.9%, and retrograde in 7.8%). Intravascular imaging to facilitate crossing was used more frequently in lesions with proximal cap ambiguity (49% versus 26%, P<0.0001) and with retrograde as compared with antegrade‐only cases (67% versus 31%, P<0.0001). Despite higher complexity (Japanese CTO score: 2.86±1.19 versus 2.43±1.19, P=0.001), cases in which imaging was used for crossing had similar technical and procedural success (92.8% versus 89.6%, P=0.302 and 90.1% versus 88.3%, P=0.588, respectively) and similar incidence of major cardiac adverse events (2.7% versus 3.2%, P=0.772). Use of intravascular imaging was associated with longer procedure (192 minutes [interquartile range 130, 255] versus 131 minutes [90, 192], P<0.0001) and fluoroscopy (71 minutes [44, 93] versus 39 minutes [25, 69], P<0.0001) time. Conclusions: Intravascular imaging is frequently performed during CTO percutaneous coronary intervention both for crossing and for stent selection/optimization. Despite its use in more complex lesion subsets, intravascular imaging was associated with similar rates of technical and procedural success for CTO percutaneous coronary intervention. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02061436

Contemporary Use of Laser During Percutaneous Coronary Interventions: Insights from the Laser Veterans Affairs (LAVA) Multicenter Registry

Background. The contemporary use and outcomes of excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well described. Methods. We examined the baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 130 target lesions in 121 consecutive PCIs (n = 116 patients) in which ELCA was performed at three United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers between 2008 and 2016. Results. Mean age was 68.5 +/- 9 years and 97% of the patients were men. Patients had high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (63%), prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (41%), and prior myocardial infarction (60%). The most common target vessel was the left anterior descending (32%), followed by the right coronary artery (30%), circumflex artery (20%), and saphenous vein graft (12%). The target lesions were highly complex, with moderate/severe calcification in 62% and in-stent restenosis in 37%. The most common indication for ELCA was balloon-uncrossable lesions (43.8%), followed by balloon-undilatable lesions (40.8%) and thrombotic lesions (12.3%). Use of ELCA was associated with high technical success rate (90.0%) and procedural success rate (88.8%), and low major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate (3.45%). Mean procedure time was 120 min (interquartile range [IQR], 81-191 min), air kerma radiation dose was 2.76 Gy (IQR, 1.32-5.01 Gy), and contrast volume was 273 mL (IQR, 201-362 mL). Conclusion. In a contemporary multicenter United States registry, ELCA was commonly used in highly complex lesions and was associated with high technical and procedural success rates and low incidence of MACE

Implementation and evaluation of a store-and-forward teledermatology workflow in a United States safety-net hospital urgent care emergency center: A retrospective cohort studyCapsule Summary

Background: Teledermatology (TD) is an important method for increasing access to care in outpatient settings. However, less is known regarding its use in emergency/urgent care centers. Objective: To evaluate the effect of TD on urgent care emergency center (UCEC) dwell time and postencounter utilization. Study type and methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients in a safety-net hospital (Parkland Health, Dallas, Texas, USA) UCEC, who (1) received a TD consult in 2018, (2) were referred to dermatology clinic in 2017, or (3) were referred to dermatology clinic in 2018 without a TD consult. Results: We evaluated 2024 patients from 2017 to 2018. Of the 973 referred to dermatology clinic in 2018, 332 (34%) received TD consultations. Mean dwell time for patients receiving TD was longer versus the 2017 cohort (303 vs 204 minutes, respectively). Patients receiving TD consultation with inflammatory skin conditions had lower odds of dermatology clinic visits compared with those that did not (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8). Teledermatology was not associated with differences in repeat UCEC utilization. Limitations: Single institution study and inability to account for differences in patient complexity. Conclusion: TD increases dwell time in a safety-net hospital’s UCEC but can reduce dermatology clinic utilization for patients with inflammatory skin conditions

Prevalence, indications and management of balloon uncrossable chronic total occlusions: Insights from a contemporary multicenter US registry

BACKGROUND: Balloon uncrossable lesions can be challenging to treat, requiring specialized techniques and equipment. METHODS: We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, management and procedural outcomes of balloon uncrossable lesions in a multicenter chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry. RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2016, 718 CTO PCIs (in which the occlusion was successfully crossed with a guidewire) were performed in 701 patients at 11 US centers. Mean age was 65.6 ± 10 years and 84% of the patients were men. Balloon uncrossable lesions represented 9% of all CTOs. Balloon uncrossable CTOs had more moderate/severe calcification (82% vs. 52%, P \u3c 0.0001), moderate/severe tortuosity (61% vs. 35% P \u3c 0.0001) and higher J-CTO score (2.95 ± 1.32 vs. 2.43 ± 1.23, P = 0.005) as compared with the remaining lesions. Technical and procedural success was significantly lower for balloon uncrossable lesions (90.5% vs. 98.3%, P \u3c 0.0001 and 88.9% vs. 96.6% P = 0.004), respectively, but the incidence of major adverse events was similar (1.6% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.751). Balloon uncrossable lesions required longer procedure (208 [interquartile range: 135, 258] vs. 135 [94, 194] min, P \u3c 0.0001) and fluoroscopy (77 [52, 100] vs. 45 min [27, 75], P \u3c 0.0001) time. Techniques used to treat balloon uncrossable lesions included balloon-assisted microdissection (23%), excimer laser atherectomy (18%), and rotational atherectomy (16%). Excimer laser atherectomy and balloon-assisted microdissection were associated with the highest technical and procedural success rates. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon uncrossable CTOs are common, are associated with high rates of technical failure, and require specialized techniques for successful treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Prevalence, indications and management of balloon uncrossable chronic total occlusions: Insights from a contemporary multicenter US registry

BackgroundBalloon uncrossable lesions can be challenging to treat, requiring specialized techniques and equipment. MethodsWe examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, management and procedural outcomes of balloon uncrossable lesions in a multicenter chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry. ResultsBetween 2012 and 2016, 718 CTO PCIs (in which the occlusion was successfully crossed with a guidewire) were performed in 701 patients at 11 US centers. Mean age was 65.610 years and 84% of the patients were men. Balloon uncrossable lesions represented 9% of all CTOs. Balloon uncrossable CTOs had more moderate/severe calcification (82% vs. 52%, P<0.0001), moderate/severe tortuosity (61% vs. 35% P<0.0001) and higher J-CTO score (2.95 +/- 1.32 vs. 2.43 +/- 1.23, P=0.005) as compared with the remaining lesions. Technical and procedural success was significantly lower for balloon uncrossable lesions (90.5% vs. 98.3%, P<0.0001 and 88.9% vs. 96.6% P=0.004), respectively, but the incidence of major adverse events was similar (1.6% vs. 2.2%, P=0.751). Balloon uncrossable lesions required longer procedure (208 [interquartile range: 135, 258] vs. 135 [94, 194] min, P<0.0001) and fluoroscopy (77 [52, 100] vs. 45 min [27, 75], P<0.0001) time. Techniques used to treat balloon uncrossable lesions included balloon-assisted microdissection (23%), excimer laser atherectomy (18%), and rotational atherectomy (16%). Excimer laser atherectomy and balloon-assisted microdissection were associated with the highest technical and procedural success rates. ConclusionsBalloon uncrossable CTOs are common, are associated with high rates of technical failure, and require specialized techniques for successful treatment. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Effect of Lesion Age on Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary US Multicenter Registry

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the effect of lesion age on procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined the characteristics and outcomes of 394 CTO PCIs with data on lesion age, performed between 2012 and 2016 at 11 experienced US centres. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 66 ± 10 years and 85.6% of the patients were men. Overall technical and procedural success rates were 90.1% and 87.5%, respectively. A major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurred in 16 patients (4.1%). Mean and median lesion ages were 43 ± 62 months and 12 months (interquartile range, 3-64 months), respectively. Patients were stratified into tertiles according to lesion age (3-5, 5-36.3, and \u3e 36.3 months). Older lesion age was associated with older patient age (68 ± 8 vs 65 ± 10 vs 64 ± 11 years; P = 0.009), previous coronary artery bypass grafting (62% vs 42% vs 30%; P \u3c 0.001), and moderate/severe calcification (75% vs 53% vs 59%; P = 0.001). Older lesions more often required use of the retrograde approach and antegrade dissection/re-entry for successful lesion crossing. There was no difference in technical (87.8% vs 89.6% vs 93.0%; P = 0.37) or procedural (86.3% vs 87.4% vs 89.0%; P = 0.80) success, or the incidence of MACE (3.1% vs 3.0% vs 6.3%; P = 0.31) for older vs younger occlusions. CONCLUSIONS: Older CTO lesions exhibit angiographic complexity and more frequently necessitate the retrograde approach or antegrade dissection/re-entry. Older CTOs can be recanalized with high technical and procedural success and acceptable MACE rates. Lesion age appears unlikely to be a significant determinant of CTO PCI success

Comparison of various scores for predicting success of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND: Various scoring systems have been developed to predict the technical outcome and procedural efficiency of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined the predictive capacity of 3 CTO PCI scores (Clinical and Lesion-related [CL], Multicenter CTO registry in Japan [J-CTO] and Prospective Global Registry for the Study of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention [PROGRESS CTO] scores) in 664 CTO PCIs performed between 2012 and 2016 at 13 US centers. RESULTS: Technical success was 88% and the retrograde approach was utilized in 41%. Mean CL, J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO scores were 3.9±1.9, 2.6±1.2 and 1.4±1.0, respectively. All scores were inversely associated with technical success (p CONCLUSIONS: CL, J-CTO and PROGRESS CTO scores perform moderately in predicting technical outcome of CTO PCI, with better performance for antegrade-only procedures. All scores correlate with procedure time and fluoroscopy dose, and the CL score also correlates with contrast utilization

The Impact of Proximal Vessel Tortuosity on the Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights From a Contemporary Multicenter Registry

INTRODUCTION: We examined the impact of proximal vessel tortuosity on the outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 1618 consecutive CTO-PCIs performed between 2012 and 2016 at 14 United States centers in 1589 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65.3 ± 10.0 years and 85% were men. Moderate/severe proximal vessel tortuosity was present in 35.7% of target lesions. Compared with non-tortuous lesions, tortuous lesions had longer length (30 mm [interquartile range, 20-50 mm] vs 28 mm [interquartile range, 16-40 mm]; P CONCLUSION: In a contemporary multicenter registry, moderate/severe proximal vessel tortuosity was present in approximately one-third of target CTO lesions and was associated with more frequent use of the retrograde approach and lower success rates, but similar complication rates

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population