The Role of CT-Guided Optimal Fluoroscopic Viewing Angle to Guide Right Endomyocardial Biopsy.

We report the case of a 64-year-old man with a history of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplant in 2022 who underwent successful endomyocardial biopsy using patient-specific computed tomographic fluoroscopic projections. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

The Role of CT-Guided Optimal Fluoroscopic Viewing Angle for Coronary Engagement After TAVR.

We report the case of an 89-year-old woman with prior transcatheter aortic valve replacement who underwent successful left coronary artery engagement and left circumflex percutaneous coronary intervention using patient-specific computed tomography fluoroscopic projections. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement With vs Without a Preoperative Heart Team Assessment.

Background: This study sought to compare characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) after being referred to a heart team (HT), to those of patients referred directly for SAVR. Methods: An analysis of patients who underwent SAVR from 2015 to 2020 was conducted. Patients were categorized into 3 groups, as follows: (i) H-HT: patients referred to the HT from 2015 to 2017 (historical cohort); (ii) C-HT: patients referred to the HT from 2018 to 2020 (contemporary cohort); and (iii) No-HT: patients referred directly to cardiac surgery from 2018 to 2020. Two subanalyses were performed: H-HT vs C-HT patients, and C-HT vs No-HT patients. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality, prolonged intubation, reoperation, sternal wound infection, and stroke. Results: This study consisted of 288 patients, distributed as follows: H-HT (n = 45); C-HT (n = 51); and No-HT (n = 192). The mean ages of H-HT, C-HT, and No-HT patients was 76.3 ± 6.9 years, 73.3 ± 7.6 years, and 69.6 ± 9.7 years, respectively (P = 0.0001). H-HT, C-HT, and No-HT patients had average Society of Thoracic Surgeons scores of 4.8 ± 2.2, 3.2 ± 1.6, and 4.2 ± 2 (P = 0.002), respectively. The composite outcome rate was more than 5 times higher among H-HT patients compared to that among the C-HT patients (20.0 vs 3.9%, P = 0.02), and was numerically higher in No-HT compared to C-HT patients (13.0 vs 3.9%, P = 0.07). Conclusions: Referral to an HT appears to be primarily driven by higher chronological age rather than overall risk profile. Patients assessed by the HT prior to undergoing SAVR have a low incidence of complications, comparable to that among patients referred directly to cardiac surgery.

Contexte: Cette étude visait à comparer les caractéristiques et le devenir de patients ayant subi une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique après avoir été orientés vers une équipe de cardiologie (EC) à ceux de patients orientés directement en chirurgie cardiaque pour une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique. Méthodologie: Une analyse portant sur les patients ayant subi une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique de 2015 à 2020 a été effectuée. Les patients ont été divisés en trois groupes, à savoir : i) CH-POEC : patients orientés vers une EC de 2015 à 2017 (cohorte historique); ii) CC-POEC : patients orientés vers une EC de 2018 à 2020 (cohorte contemporaine); iii) PODC : patients orientés directement en chirurgie cardiaque de 2018 à 2020. Deux sous-analyses ont été effectuées : CH-POEC vs CC-POEC, et CC-POEC vs PODC. Le paramètre d'évaluation principal était composite. Il comprenait la mortalité hospitalière, l'intubation prolongée, la réopération, l'infection de la plaie sternale et l'accident vasculaire cérébral. Résultats: L'étude regroupait 288 patients, répartis comme suit : CH-POEC, n = 45; CC-POEC, n = 51; PODC, n = 192. L'âge moyen dans les groupes CH-POEC, CC-POEC et PODC était respectivement de 76,3 ± 6,9 ans, 73,3 ± 7,6 ans et 69,6 ± 9,7 ans (P = 0,0001). Les groupes CH-POEC, CC-POEC et PODC présentaient des indices STS (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) moyens de 4,8 ± 2,2, 3,2 ± 1,6 et 4,2 ± 2 (P = 0,002), respectivement. Le taux composite d'événements au sein du groupe CH-POEC était plus de cinq fois supérieur à celui noté dans le groupe CC-POEC (20,0 vs 3,9 %, P = 0,02). Il était aussi plus élevé au sein du groupe PODC comparativement au groupe CC-POEC (13,0 vs 3,9 %, P = 0,07). Conclusions: Le principal motif d'orientation vers une EC semble être un âge chronologique avancé plutôt que le profil de risque global. Chez les patients qui sont évalués par une EC avant de subir une chirurgie de remplacement valvulaire aortique, l'incidence de complications est faible et comparable à celle observée chez les patients orientés directement en chirurgie cardiaque.

Aortic Annulus S-Curve: Implications for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and Related Procedures, Part 1.

Most transcatheter aortic valve replacement-related procedures (eg, transcatheter aortic valve replacement implantation depth, commissural alignment, coronary access, bioprosthetic or native aortic scallop intentional laceration to prevent iatrogenic coronary artery obstruction, paravalvular leak closure) require an optimal fluoroscopic viewing angle located somewhere along the aortic annulus S-curve. Chamber views, coronary cusp and coronary anatomy, can be understood along the aortic annulus S-curve. A better understanding of the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles along the S-curve may translate into increased operator confidence and improved safety and efficacy while reducing procedural time, radiation dose, contrast volume, and complication rates.

Effect of preoperative renin-angiotensin system blockade on vasoplegia after cardiac surgery: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vasoplegia is a common complication of cardiac surgery but its causal relationship with preoperative use of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers [angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)] is still debated. AIM: To update and summarize data on the effect of preoperative use of RAS blockers on incident vasoplegia. METHODS: All published studies from MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science providing relevant data through January 13, 2021 were identified. A random-effects meta-analysis method was used to pool estimates, and post-cardiac surgery shock was differentiated from vasoplegia. RESULTS: Ten studies reporting on a pooled population of 15672 patients (none looking at ARBs exclusively) were included in the meta-analysis. All were case-control studies. Use of ACEIs was associated with an increased risk of vasoplegia [pooled adjusted odds ratio (Aor) of 2.06, 95%CI: 1.45-2.93] and increased inotropic/vasopressor support requirement (pooled aOR 1.19, 95%CI: 1.10-1.29). Post-cardiac surgery shock was increased in the presence of left ventricular dysfunction (pooled aOR 2.32, 95%CI: 1.60-3.36; I 2 49%) but not increased by the use of beta blockers (pooled aOR 0.78, 95%CI: 0.36-1.69; I 2 77%). Two randomized control trials (RCTs), not eligible for the meta-analysis, did not show an association between continuation of RAS blockers and vasoplegia. CONCLUSION: Preoperative continuation of ACEIs is associated with an increased need for inotropic support postoperatively and with an increased risk of vasoplegia in observational studies but not in RCTs. The absence of a consensus definition of vasoplegia should lead to the use of perioperative cardiovascular monitoring when designing RCTs to better understand this discrepancy.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Coronary Angiography for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction, Use of Mechanical Support, and Mechanical Complications in Canada: A Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology National Survey.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic first wave, reductions in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) invasive care, ranging from 23% to 76%, have been reported from various countries. Whether this change had any impact on coronary angiography (CA) volume or on mechanical support device use for STEMI and post-STEMI mechanical complications in Canada is unknown. METHODS: We administered a Canada-wide survey to all cardiac catheterization laboratory directors, seeking the volume of CA use for STEMI performed during the period from March 1 2020 to May 31, 2020 (pandemic period), and during 2 control periods (March 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019 and March 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018). The number of left ventricular support devices used, as well as the number of ventricular septal defects and papillary muscle rupture cases diagnosed, was also recorded. We also assessed whether the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in each province was associated with STEMI-related CA volume. RESULTS: A total of 41 of 42 Canadian catheterization laboratories (98%) provided data. There was a modest but statistically significant 16% reduction (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.80-0.87) in CA for STEMI during the first wave of the pandemic, compared to control periods. IRR was not associated with provincial COVID-19 caseload. We observed a 26% reduction (IRR 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.61-0.89) in the use of intra-aortic balloon pump use for STEMI. Use of an Impella pump and mechanical complications from STEMI were exceedingly rare. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a modest 16% decrease in use of CA for STEMI during the pandemic first wave in Canada, lower than the level reported in other countries. Provincial COVID-19 caseload did not influence this reduction.

INTRODUCTION: Après la première vague de la pandémie de COVID-19, de nombreux pays ont déclaré une réduction de 23 % à 76 % des soins invasifs de l'infarctus du myocarde avec élévation du segment ST (STEMI). On ignore si ce changement a entraîné des répercussions sur le volume d'angiographies coronariennes (AC) ou sur l'utilisation des dispositifs d'assistance mécanique lors de STEMI et des complications mécaniques post-STEMI au Canada. MÉTHODES: Nous avons réalisé un sondage pancanadien auprès de tous les directeurs de laboratoire de cathétérisme cardiaque pour obtenir le volume d'utilisation des AC lors des STEMI réalisées durant la période du 1er mars 2020 au 31 mai 2020 (période de pandémie) et durant 2 périodes témoins (1er mars 2019 au 31 mai 2019 et 1er mars 2018 au 31 mai 2018). Le nombre de dispositifs d'assistance ventriculaire gauche utilisés et le nombre de cas de communications interventriculaires et de ruptures du muscle papillaire diagnostiqués ont également été enregistrés. Nous avons aussi évalué si le nombre de cas de COVID-19 enregistrés dans chaque province était associé au volume d'AC liées aux STEMI. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 41 des 42 laboratoires canadiens de cathétérisme (98 %) ont fourni des données. Lors de la comparaison de la première vague de la pandémie aux périodes témoins, nous avons noté une réduction modeste, mais significative, sur le plan statistique de 16 % (ratio du taux d'incidence [RTI] 0,84; intervalle de confiance à 95 % 0,80-0,87) des AC lors de STEMI. Le RTI n'était pas associé au nombre provincial de cas de COVID-19. Nous avons observé une réduction de 26 % (RTI 0,74; intervalle de confiance à 95 % 0,61-0,89) de l'utilisation de pompes à ballonnet intra-aortique lors de STEMI. L'utilisation d'une pompe Impella et les complications mécaniques après les STEMI étaient extrêmement rares. CONCLUSIONS: Nous avons observé une diminution modeste de 16 % de l'utilisation des AC lors de STEMI durant la première vague de la pandémie au Canada, soit une diminution plus faible que ce que les autres pays ont signalé. Le nombre provincial de cas de COVID-19 n'a pas influencé cette réduction.

The effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation approaches on mortality.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) approaches on mortality and identify effect modifiers and predictors for mortality. BACKGROUND: Alternative access routes to transfemoral (TF) TAVI include the surgical intra-thoracic direct-aortic (DA) and transapical (TA) approach. TA TAVI has been associated with a higher mortality rate. We hypothesized that this is related to effect modifiers, in particular the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: This multicentre study derived its data from prospective registries. To adjust for confounders, we used propensity-score based, stabilized inverse probability weighted Cox regression models. RESULTS: In total, 5,910 patients underwent TAVI via TF (N = 4,072), DA (N = 524), and TA (N = 1,314) access. Compared to TF, 30-day mortality was increased among DA (HR 1.87, 95%CI 1.26-2.78, p = .002) and TA (HR 3.34, 95%CI 2.28-4.89, p < .001) cases. Compared to TF, 5-year mortality was increased among TA cases (HR 1.50, 95%CI 1.24-1.83, p < .001). None of the variables showed a significant interaction between the approaches and mortality. An impaired LVEF (≤35%) increased mortality in all approaches. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical intra-thoracic TA and DA TAVI are both associated with a higher 30-day mortality than TF TAVI. TA TAVI is associated with a higher 5-year mortality than TF TAVI. The DA approach may therefore have some advantages over the TA approach when TF access is not feasible.

Double S-Curve Versus Cusp-Overlap Technique: Defining the Optimal Fluoroscopic Projection for TAVR With a Self-Expanding Device.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the concordance between transcatheter aortic valve implantation angles generated by the "double S-curve" and "cusp-overlap" techniques. BACKGROUND: The "double S-curve" and "cusp-overlap" methods aim to define optimal fluoroscopic projections for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a self-expandable device. METHODS: The study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR with self-expanding device planned by multidetector computed tomography. TAVR was performed using the double S-curve model, as a view in which both the aortic valve annulus and delivery catheter planes are displayed perpendicularly on fluoroscopy. Optimal projection according to the cusp-overlap technique was retrospectively generated by overlapping the right and left cups on the multidetector computed tomography annular plane. The angular difference between methods was assessed in spherical 3 dimensions and on the left and right anterior oblique (RAO) and cranial and caudal (CAU) axes. RESULTS: The double S-curve and cusp-overlap methods provided views located in the same quadrant, mostly the RAO and CAU, in 92% of patients with a median 3-dimensional angular difference of 10.0° (interquartile range: 5.5° to 17.9°). The 3-dimensional deviation between the average angulation obtained by each method was not statistically significant (1.49°; p = 0.349). No significant differences in average coordinates were noted between the double S-curve and cusp-overlap methods (RAO: 14.7 ± 15.2 vs. 12.9 ± 12.5; p = 0.36; and CAU: 27.0 ± 9.4 vs. 26.9 ± 10.4; p = 0.90). TAVR using the double S-curve was associated with 98% device success, low complication rate, and absence of moderate-to-severe paravalvular leak. CONCLUSIONS: The double S-curve and cusp-overlap methods provide comparable TAVR projections, mostly RAO and CAU. TAVR using the double S-curve model is associated with a high rate of device success and low rate of procedural complications.

Optimal Fluoroscopic Projections of Coronary Ostia and Bifurcations Defined by Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to define the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of both coronary ostia and important coronary bifurcations by using 3-dimensional multislice computed tomographic data. BACKGROUND: Optimal fluoroscopic projections are crucial for coronary imaging and interventions. Historically, coronary fluoroscopic viewing angles were derived empirically from experienced operators. METHODS: In this analysis, 100 consecutive patients who underwent computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) for suspected coronary artery disease were studied. A CTCA-based method is described to define optimal viewing angles of both coronary ostia and important coronary bifurcations to guide percutaneous coronary interventions. RESULTS: The average optimal viewing angle for ostial left main stenting was left anterior oblique (LAO) 37°, cranial (CRA) 22° (95% confidence interval [CI]: LAO 33° to 40°, CRA 19° to 25°) and for ostial right coronary stenting was LAO 79°, CRA 41° (95% CI: LAO 74° to 84°, CRA 37° to 45°). Estimated mean optimal viewing angles for bifurcation stenting were as follows: left main: LAO 0°, caudal (CAU) 49° (95% CI: right anterior oblique [RAO] 8° to LAO 8°, CAU 43° to 54°); left anterior descending with first diagonal branch: LAO 11°, CRA 71° (95% CI: RAO 6° to LAO 27°, CRA 66° to 77°); left circumflex bifurcation with first marginal branch: LAO 24°, CAU 33° (95% CI: LAO 15° to 33°, CAU 25° to 41°); and posterior descending artery and posterolateral branch: LAO 44°, CRA 34° (95% CI: LAO 35° to 52°, CRA 27° to 41°). CONCLUSIONS: CTCA can suggest optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of coronary artery ostia and bifurcations. As the frequency of use of diagnostic CTCA increases in the future, it has the potential to provide additional information for planning and guiding percutaneous coronary intervention procedures.

Predictors of Outcomes Following Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair is a viable alternative to surgery in patients with severe mitral regurgitation and high surgical risk. Yet the specific group of patients who would optimally benefit from this therapy remains to be determined. Selection of patients for transcatheter strategy is currently based on surgical prognostic scores and technical feasibility. Meanwhile, various clinical, anatomic, and procedural factors have been recently recognized as predictors of adverse outcomes following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair, including device failure, recurrent mitral regurgitation, and mortality. Integration of these prognostic factors in the decision-making process of the heart team might improve patient management and outcomes. Herein, the authors review the different factors related to symptomatic status, comorbidity, serum biomarkers, echocardiographic findings, and procedural technique that have been identified as independent predictors of adverse outcome following transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair and discuss their potential application in everyday clinical practice.

A Case of TAVR Complicated by Severe Functional Mitral Regurgitation.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a known complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We report a case of a 90-year-old man with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis who underwent elective TAVR. The procedure was complicated by severe functional MR from left ventricular stunning and dilatation caused by hypotension throughout the procedure. An Impella CP (Abiomed, Inc, Danvers, MA) was inserted to unload the left ventricle and decrease its size with subsequent improvement in MR severity, which was sustained after Impella CP removal. In conclusion, we present the first case of successful management of post-TAVR severe functional MR with an Impella CP.

Restricted mean survival time of older adults with severe aortic stenosis referred for transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have measured frailty as a potential reason for foregoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in older adults with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This study sought to determine the impact of frailty and other clinician-cited reasons on restricted mean survival time (RMST). METHODS: An analysis of the McGill Frailty Registry was conducted between 2014 and 2018 at the McGill University Health Center Structural Valve Clinic. Consecutive nonsurgical patients referred for TAVR were included. In those that underwent balloon aortic valvuloplasty or medical management, the primary clinician-cited reason for foregoing TAVR was codified. Vital status was ascertained at 1 year and analysed using RMST and Kaplan-Meier analyses. RESULTS: The study consisted of 373 patients with a mean age of 82.4 years, of which 233 underwent TAVR and 140 did not. Patients who did not undergo TAVR were more likely to be nonagenarians, with left ventricular dysfunction, chronic kidney disease, dementia, disability, depression, malnutrition, and frailty. The primary clinician-cited reason was: comorbidity in 34%, frailty in 23%, procedural feasibility and risks in 16%, and mild or unrelated symptoms in 27%. Compared to the TAVR group, 1-year RMST was reduced by 2.0 months in the medical management group (95% CI 1.2, 2.7) and by 1.1 months in the valvuloplasty group (95% CI -0.2, 2.5). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe AS referred for TAVR may never undergo the procedure on the basis of comorbidity, frailty, procedural issues, and symptoms. The best treatment decision is one that follows from multi-disciplinary assessment encompassing frailty.

Recursive multiresolution convolutional neural networks for 3D aortic valve annulus planimetry.

PURPOSE: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the standard of care in a large population of patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. The sizing of TAVR devices is done from ECG-gated CT angiographic image volumes. The most crucial step of the analysis is the determination of the aortic valve annular plane. In this paper, we present a fully tridimensional recursive multiresolution convolutional neural network (CNN) to infer the location and orientation of the aortic valve annular plane. METHODS: We manually labeled 1007 ECG-gated CT volumes from 94 patients with severe degenerative aortic valve stenosis. The algorithm was implemented and trained using the TensorFlow framework (Google LLC, USA). We performed K-fold cross-validation with K = 9 groups such that CT volumes from a given patient are assigned to only one group. RESULTS: We achieved an average out-of-plane localization error of (0.7 ± 0.6) mm for the training dataset and of (0.9 ± 0.8) mm for the evaluation dataset, which is on par with other published methods and clinically insignificant. The angular orientation error was (3.9 ± 2.3)° for the training dataset and (6.4 ± 4.0)° for the evaluation dataset. For the evaluation dataset, 84.6% of evaluation image volumes had a better than 10° angular error, which is similar to expert-level accuracy. When measured in the inferred annular plane, the relative measurement error was (4.73 ± 5.32)% for the annular area and (2.46 ± 2.94)% for the annular perimeter. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed algorithm is the first application of CNN to aortic valve planimetry and achieves an accuracy on par with proposed automated methods for localization and approaches an expert-level accuracy for orientation. The method relies on no heuristic specific to the aortic valve and may be generalizable to other anatomical features.

Optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of right-sided heart structures in patients with tricuspid regurgitation based on multislice computed tomography.

AIMS: This study sought to analyse multislice computed tomography (MSCT) data of patients with tricuspid regurgitation and to report the variability of fluoroscopic viewing angles for several right-sided heart structures, as well as chamber views of the right heart in order to determine the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of six right-sided heart structures and right-heart chamber views. METHODS AND RESULTS: The MSCT data of 44 patients with mild to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were retrospectively analysed. For each patient, we determined the optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles of the annulus/orifice en face view of the tricuspid valve, atrial septum, superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC), coronary sinus (CS) and pulmonary valve. In this TR patient cohort, the average fluoroscopic viewing angle for the en face view of the tricuspid valve annulus was LAO 54-CAUD 15; RAO 10-CAUD 66 for the SVC orifice; LAO 27-CRA 59 for the IVC orifice; RAO 28-CRA 19 for the CS orifice; RAO 33-CAUD 33 for the atrial septum and LAO 13-CAUD 52 for the pulmonary valve annulus. The average viewing angle for right-heart chamber views was LAO 55-CAUD 15 for the one-chamber view; RAO 59-CAUD 54 for the two-chamber view; RAO 27-CRA 19 for the three-chamber view and LAO 5-CRA 60 for the four-chamber view. CONCLUSIONS: MSCT can provide patient-specific fluoroscopic viewing angles of right-sided heart structures. This information may facilitate transcatheter right-heart interventions.

Procedure planning and device positioning for left atrial appendage occlusion: insights from multi detector-row computed tomography with 3D fusion.

To compare planned and achieved device position in patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO). It is unclear how devices used for LAAO position themselves compared to what is planned. All patients undergoing LAAO at our institution had pre- and post-procedural multi detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) at 3 months (N = 52). Using dedicated software, both datasets were fused to superimpose the left atria in all planes. The effective device position was traced on the post-procedural MDCT and then imported in the pre-procedural dataset to allow comparisons. Planned and effective landing zones were compared with respect to size, location and orientation. The device's final position was in a significantly larger landing zone than planned (452 ± 174 vs. 351 ± 112 mm2 for effective and planned landing zones, respectively, paired t-test: p < 0.0001), resulting in significantly less-than-intended area oversizing (41 ± 31 vs. 12 ± 28%, p < 0.0001). In terms of device orientation, there was a difference of 19.7° between the planned and effective landing zones (p < 0.0001). The Amplatzer device had a shallower-than-planned position in 70% of cases, whereas the Watchman device had a deeper-than-planned position in 75% of cases (p = 0.04). Incomplete occlusion was found in 17 patients (33%). In a multivariable model, oversizing at the effective landing zone was the only MDCT independent predictor of incomplete occlusion (OR: 0.96 per 1% increment, 95% CI 0.95-0.98, p = 0.009). MDCT fusion showed that LAAO device position and orientation are different than planned, and this is associated with incomplete occlusion of the LAA.

Is sex associated with adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention for CTO?

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have been reported regarding sex differences in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but their potential influence on clinical outcomes after chronic total coronary occlusion (CTO) PCI remains unknown. We aimed to identify sex-related differences in long-term clinical outcomes after CTO PCI. METHODS AND RESULTS: All consecutive patients undergoing CTO PCI between 2004 and 2012 were included in a prospective registry. Baseline, procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes were compared according to sex. Out of 1343 patients, 194 were female (14.4%). Women were older (68.5 ±â€¯9.9 vs 62.3 ±â€¯10.8 years, p < 0.001), more frequently diabetic (33.5% vs 26.4%, p = 0.026) and hypertensive (70.1% vs 57.4%, p < 0,001), whereas males were more frequently smokers (28.5% vs 15.5%, p < 0.001). J-CTO score was similar between both sexes (1.59 ±â€¯0.91 vs 1.51 ±â€¯0.88). The procedural success rate was also similar in men and women (74.0% vs 77.3%, respectively). At 8 years' follow-up, successful CTO PCI was associated with reduced mortality in women (14.8% vs 36.2%, p = 0.003) and men (18.5% vs 29.1%, p < 0.001). In successful CTO PCI cases, no sex-related differences were observed in terms of major adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests an equal benefit of CTO interventions with a marked reduction in mortality after successful CTO PCI in women and men alike.