Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on STEMI care: An expanded analysis from the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic migitation measures on of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care. BACKGROUND: We previously reported a 38% decline in cardiac catheterization activations during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures. This study extends our early observations using a larger sample of STEMI programs representative of different US regions with the inclusion of more contemporary data. METHODS: Data from 18 hospitals or healthcare systems in the US from January 2019 to April 2020 were collecting including number activations for STEMI, the number of activations leading to angiography and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), and average door to balloon (D2B) times. Two periods, January 2019-February 2020 and March-April 2020, were defined to represent periods before (BC) and after (AC) initiation of pandemic mitigation measures, respectively. A generalized estimating equations approach was used to estimate the change in response variables at AC from BC. RESULTS: Compared to BC, the AC period was characterized by a marked reduction in the number of activations for STEMI (29%, 95% CI:18-38, p \u3c .001), number of activations leading to angiography (34%, 95% CI: 12-50, p = .005) and number of activations leading to PPCI (20%, 95% CI: 11-27, p \u3c .001). A decline in STEMI activations drove the reductions in angiography and PPCI volumes. Relative to BC, the D2B times in the AC period increased on average by 20%, 95%CI (-0.2 to 44, p = .05). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 Pandemic has adversely affected many aspects of STEMI care, including timely access to the cardiac catheterization laboratory for PPCI

Complications and failure modes of coronary embolic protection devices: Insights from the MAUDE database

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on complications associated with the use of coronary embolic protection devices (EPDs). METHODS: We queried the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database between November 2010 and November 2020 for reports on coronary EPDs: Spider FX (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) and Filterwire EZ (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA). RESULTS: We retrieved 119 reports on coronary EPD failure (Spider FX n = 33 and Filterwire EZ n = 86), most of which (78.2%) occurred during saphenous vein graft interventions. The most common failure mode was inability to retrieve the EPD (49.6%), with the filter trapped against stent struts in 76.2% of the cases. Other device complications included filter fracture (28.6%), failure to cross (7.6%), failure to deploy (7.6%), and failure to recapture the filter (3.4%). Filter fracture (54.5 vs. 29.1%) and failure to recapture (9.1 vs. 2.1%) were more commonly reported, while failure to deploy the filter (0 vs. 10.5%) was less commonly reported with the Spider-FX. CONCLUSIONS: The most common modes of failure of coronary EPDs are the failure of retrieval (49.6%), followed by the filter fracture (28.6%). When using EPDs, careful attention to the technique is essential to avoid failures and subsequent complications

Meta-analysis of the impact of successful chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention on left ventricular systolic function and reverse remodeling

We sought to examine the impact of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on left ventricular (LV) function.We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1980 and November 2017 on the impact of successful CTO PCI on LV function.A total of 34 observational studies including 2735 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Over a weighted mean follow-up of 7.9 months, successful CTO PCI was associated with an increase in LV ejection fraction by 3.8% (95%CI 3.0-4.7, P < 0.0001, I2 = 45%). In secondary analysis of 15 studies (1248 patients) that defined CTOs as occlusions of at least 3-month duration and reported follow-up of at least 3-months after the procedure, successful CTO PCI was associated with improvement in LV ejection fraction by 4.3% (95%CI [3.1, 5.6], P < 0.0001). In the 10 studies (502 patients) that reported LV end-systolic volume, successful CTO PCI was associated with a decrease in LV end-systolic volume by 4 mL, (95%CI -6.0 to -2.1, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). LV end-diastolic volume was reported in 9 studies with 403 patients and did not significantly change after successful CTO PCI (-2.3 mL, 95%CI -5.7 to 1.2 mL, P = 0.19, I2 = 0%).Successful CTO PCI is associated with a statistically significant improvement in LV ejection fraction and decrease in LV end-systolic volume, that may reflect a beneficial effect of CTO recanalization on LV remodeling. The clinical implications of these findings warrant further investigation

Outcomes with plug‐based versus suture‐based vascular closure device after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background Studies comparing plug-based (i.e., MANTA) with suture-based (i.e., ProStar XL and ProGlide) vascular closure devices (VCDs) for large-bore access closure after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) have yielded mixed results. Aims To examine the comparative safety and efficacy of both types of VCDs among TAVR recipients. Methods An electronic database search was performed through March 2022 for studies comparing access-site related vascular complications with plug-based versus suture-based VCDs for large-bore access site closure after transfemoral (TF) TAVR. Results Ten studies (2 randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and 8 observational studies) with 3113 patients (MANTA = 1358, ProGlide/ProStar XL = 1755) were included. There was no difference between plug-based and suture-based VCD in the incidence of access-site major vascular complications (3.1% vs. 3.3%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52−1.53). The incidence of VCD failure was lower in plug-based VCD (5.2% vs. 7.1%, OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44−0.91). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of unplanned vascular intervention in plug-based VCD (8.2% vs. 5.9%, OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.97−1.89). Length of stay was shorter with MANTA. Subgroup analyses suggested significant interaction based on study designs such that there was higher incidence of access-site vascular complications and bleeding events with plug-based versus suture-based VCD among RCTs. Conclusion In patients undergoing TF-TAVR, large-bore access site closure with plug-based VCD was associated with a similar safety profile as suture-based VCD. However, subgroup analysis showed that plug-based VCD was associated with higher incidence of vascular and bleeding complications in RCTs

TCT-128 Saphenous Vein Graft Occlusion Following Native Vessel Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: The practice of occluding patent saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) after successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the native vessel has received limited study. Methods: We analyzed baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 51 patients who following successful CTO PCI of the native vessel underwent attempted SVG occlusion between 2015 and 2022 at 14 centers. Results: Mean patient age was 71 ± 8 years and 80% were men. The most common CTO target vessel was the right coronary artery (41%), followed by the left circumflex artery (35%). Retrograde crossing was the successful crossing strategy in 78% (n = 40) and the SVG was the collateral used for all the retrograde cases. Recurrent SVG failure (51%) was the most common reason for treating the native vessel instead of the SVG supplying the same vessel. Coils were used in 71% (n = 36) to occlude the SVG with a mean number of 1.9 ± 1.1 coils, and Amplatzer vascular plugs were used in 29% (n = 15) of the cases. All procedures were technically successful and the SVG was occluded completely (TIMI 0 flow) in 75% (n = 38) of the cases. Follow up was available for 38 patients (75%): during a mean follow up of 312 days, the incidence of target lesion failure was 5.4% (n = 2). There were no other associated periprocedural or in-hospital complications. Conclusion: SVG occlusion after successful native vessel CTO PCI, is associated with favorable periprocedural and mid-term outcomes. Categories: CORONARY: Complex and Higher Risk Procedures for Indicated Patients (CHIP

TCT-117 Impact of Proximal Cap Ambiguity on the Outcomes of Chronic Total Occlusion Intervention: Insights From the PROGRESS-CTO Registry

Background: The impact of proximal cap ambiguity on procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has received limited study. Methods: We examined the clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes of 11,169 CTO PCIs performed in 10,932 patients at 42 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2022. Results: Proximal cap ambiguity was present in 35% of CTO lesions. Patients whose lesions had proximal cap ambiguity were more likely to have had prior PCI (65% vs 59%; P \u3c 0.01) and prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (37% vs 24%; P \u3c 0.01). Lesions with proximal cap ambiguity were more complex with higher J-CTO score (3.1 ± 1.0 vs 2.0 ± 1.2; P \u3c 0.01) and lower technical (79% vs 90%; P \u3c 0.01) and procedural success (77% vs 89%; P \u3c 0.01) rates compared with non-ambiguous CTO lesions. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher in cases with proximal cap ambiguity (2.5% vs 1.7%; P \u3c 0.01). The retrograde approach was more commonly used among cases with ambiguous proximal cap (51% vs 21%; P \u3c 0.01) and was more likely to be the final successful crossing strategy (29% vs 13%; P \u3c 0.01). PCIs of CTOs with ambiguous proximal cap required longer procedure time (140 [95-195] vs 105 [70-150] min; P \u3c 0.01) and more contrast volume (225 [160-305] vs 200 [150-280] mL; P \u3c 0.01). Conclusion: Proximal cap ambiguity in CTO lesions is associated with higher utilization of the retrograde approach, lower technical and procedural success rates, and higher incidence of in-hospital MACE. Categories: CORONARY: Complex and Higher Risk Procedures for Indicated Patients (CHIP

Angiographic Features and Clinical Outcomes of Balloon Uncrossable Lesions during Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: Balloon uncrossable lesions are defined as lesions that cannot be crossed with a balloon after successful guidewire crossing. Methods: We analyzed the association between balloon uncrossable lesions and procedural outcomes of 8671 chronic total occlusions (CTOs) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed between 2012 and 2022 at 41 centers. Results: The prevalence of balloon uncrossable lesions was 9.2%. The mean patient age was 64.2 ± 10 years and 80% were men. Patients with balloon uncrossable lesions were older (67.3 ± 9 vs. 63.9 ± 10, p \u3c 0.001) and more likely to have prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery (40% vs. 25%, p \u3c 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (50% vs. 42%, p \u3c 0.001) compared with patients who had balloon crossable lesions. In-stent restenosis (23% vs. 16%. p \u3c 0.001), moderate/severe calcification (68% vs. 40%, p \u3c 0.001), and moderate/severe proximal vessel tortuosity (36% vs. 25%, p \u3c 0.001) were more common in balloon uncrossable lesions. Procedure time (132 (90, 197) vs. 109 (71, 160) min, p \u3c 0.001) was longer and the air kerma radiation dose (2.55 (1.41, 4.23) vs. 1.97 (1.10, 3.40) min, p \u3c 0.001) was higher in balloon uncrossable lesions, while these lesions displayed lower technical (91% vs. 99%, p \u3c 0.001) and procedural (88% vs. 96%, p \u3c 0.001) success rates and higher major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rates (3.14% vs. 1.49%, p \u3c 0.001). Several techniques were required for balloon uncrossable lesions. Conclusion: In a contemporary, multicenter registry, 9.2% of the successfully crossed CTOs were initially balloon uncrossable. Balloon uncrossable lesions exhibited lower technical and procedural success rates and a higher risk of complications compared with balloon crossable lesions