Impact of calcium on the procedural techniques and outcomes of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Coronary calcification is common and increases the difficulty of chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We examined the impact of calcium on procedural outcomes of 13,079 CTO PCIs performed in 12,799 patients at 46 US and non-US centers between 2012 and 2023. RESULTS: Moderate or severe calcification was present in 46.6% of CTO lesions. Patients whose lesions were calcified were older and more likely to have had prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Calcified lesions were more complex with higher J-CTO score (3.0 ± 1.1 vs. 1.9 ± 1.2; p < 0.001) and lower technical (83.0% vs. 89.9%; p < 0.001) and procedural (81.0% vs. 89.1%; p < 0.001) success rates compared with mildly calcified or non-calcified CTO lesions. The retrograde approach was more commonly used among cases with moderate/severe calcification (40.3% vs. 23.5%; p < 0.001). Balloon angioplasty (76.6%) was the most common lesion preparation technique for calcified lesions, followed by rotational atherectomy (7.3%), laser atherectomy (3.4%) and, intravascular lithotripsy (3.4%). The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) was higher in cases with moderate or severe calcification (3.0% vs. 1.2%; p < 0.001), as was the incidence of perforation (6.5% vs. 3.4%; p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, the presence of moderate/severe calcification was independently associated with lower technical success (odds ratio, OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.63-0.84) and higher MACE (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.66-3.27). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate/severe calcification was present in nearly half of CTO lesions, and was associated with higher utilization of the retrograde approach, lower technical and procedural success rates, and higher incidence of in-hospital MACE.

Safety and efficacy of the hybrid approach in coronary chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: The Hybrid Video Registry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the Hybrid Video Registry (HVR) is to assess the acute safety and efficacy of the Hybrid Approach in comparison to other contemporary methods of CTO-PCI. BACKGROUND: Recently, multiple techniques in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for coronary Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO) have been synthesized into a method referred to as the "Hybrid Approach". METHODS: About 194 video-taped timed live cases from CTO-PCI training workshops were analyzed by independent data abstractors and compared to three contemporary CTO-PCI registries stratified by case complexity based on the J-CTO score. RESULTS: Overall procedural success was 95% of all cases attempted with an excellent safety profile. In the most complex lesion subset, which made up 45% of all HVR cases, success was 92.8%, which was significantly higher than either the Royal Bromptom (78.9%), or Japanese-CTO (73.3%) registries, P = 0.04 Hybrid vs. Royal Brompton, P = 0.006 Hybrid vs. Japanese-CTO). The Hybrid Approach was also associated with shorter procedure times and lower contrast utilization. CONCLUSIONS: In a real world angiographic registry of complex CTOs, the Hybrid Approach to CTO-PCI is safe, and may be superior to other contemporary approaches to CTO intervention with respect to procedural success and efficiency among a diverse group of operators and lesion complexity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Chronic Kidney Disease on Mortality in Patients Who Underwent Lower Extremity Peripheral Vascular Intervention.

It is known that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with peripheral artery disease who underwent lower extremity surgical revascularization; however, outcomes after peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) are less well established. This study sought to determine the impact of CKD on adverse outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease who underwent PVI. Using data from the Veteran Affairs Clinical Assessment, Reporting, and Tracking System Program, we identified a cohort of 755 patients who underwent lower extremity PVI from June 2005 to August 2010 at 33 sites. The outcomes of interest were mortality, progression to dialysis, myocardial infarction, limb amputation, and stroke. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard frailty models assessed the association between CKD and adverse outcomes. Of the patients who underwent lower extremity PVI, 201 patients (27%) had CKD. The presence of CKD was associated with decreased survival (5-year survival probability of CKD compared with non-CKD: 49.9% [41.6% to 59.9%] vs 80.1% [76.2% to 84.1]), which persisted after risk adjustment (HR 1.57; 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.19). In addition, there was a significant association between CKD and progression to dialysis (HR 6.62; 95% confidence interval 2.25 to 19.43). In contrast, there was no association between CKD and re-hospitalization for myocardial infarction, limb amputation, or stroke. In conclusion, CKD is present in 1 of 4 patients who underwent PVI and is associated with increased risk of mortality and progression to dialysis.

Familial (ATTR) amyloidosis misdiagnosed as the primary (AL) variant: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary (AL) Amyloidosis is arguably the most recognizable variant of the disease with many classic signs. However, it has been argued that the Familial variant (ATTR) is actually more prevalent. It is less recognizable, however, as its spectrum of organ involvement is frequently much more limited. The two variants carry significantly different prognoses, have divergent treatment strategies, and very different implications for the family members of patients. There is now a small amount of data that would suggest Familial Amyloidosis may be misdiagnosed as the AL form 2-4% of the time as a result of laboratory error. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein a case of Familial Amyloidosis initially mistaken for the AL form based on a false positive laboratory result is presented. This case illustrates the high index of suspicion required for proper diagnosis of this rare disease. CONCLUSION: Clinician awareness of the various forms of Amyloidosis and the potential for lab error is key to ensuring an accurate diagnosis. The two most common forms carry significantly different implications for treatment and for potential impact on relatives. A high index of suspicion is required particularly for the Familial form of Amyloidosis.