Overview of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions Treated at Brazilian Centers Participating in the LATAM CTO Registry. / Panorama das Intervenções Coronárias Percutâneas em Oclusões Totais Crônicas em Centros Participantes do LATAM CTO Registry no Brasil.

BACKGROUND: Major advances have been seen in techniques and devices for performing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs), but there are limited real-world practice data from developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To report clinical and angiographic characteristics, procedural aspects, and clinical outcomes of CTO PCI performed at dedicated centers in Brazil. METHODS: Included patients underwent CTO PCI at centers participating in the LATAM CTO Registry, a Latin American multicenter registry dedicated to prospective collection of these data. Inclusion criteria were procedures performed in Brazil, age 18 years or over, and presence of CTO with PCI attempt. CTO was defined as a 100% lesion in an epicardial coronary artery, known or estimated to have lasted at least 3 months. RESULTS: Data on 1196 CTO PCIs were included. Procedures were performed primarily for angina control (85%) and/or treatment of moderate/severe ischemia (24%). Technical success rate was 84%, being achieved with antegrade wire approaches in 81% of procedures, antegrade dissection and re-entry in 9%, and retrograde approaches in 10%. In-hospital adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 2.3% of cases, with a mortality rate of 0.75%. CONCLUSIONS: CTOs can be treated effectively in Brazil by using PCI, with low complication rates. The scientific and technological development observed in this area in the past decade is reflected in the clinical practice of dedicated Brazilian centers.

FUNDAMENTO: Tem sido observado um grande avanço nas técnicas e nos dispositivos para a realização de intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICP) em oclusões totais coronarianas crônicas (OTC), mas existem poucos dados da prática do mundo real em países em desenvolvimento. OBJETIVOS: Relatar as características clínicas e angiográficas, os aspectos dos procedimentos e os resultados clínicos da ICP de OTC em centros dedicados a esse procedimento no Brasil. MÉTODOS: Os pacientes incluídos foram submetidos à ICP de OTC em centros participantes do LATAM CTO Registry, um registro multicêntrico latino-americano dedicado à coleta prospectiva desses dados. Os critérios de inclusão foram procedimentos realizados no Brasil, idade acima de 18 anos e presença de OTC com tentativa de ICP. A definição de OTC foi lesão de 100% em uma artéria coronária epicárdica, conhecida ou estimada como tendo pelo menos 3 meses de evolução. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos dados de 1.196 ICPs de OTC. Os procedimentos foram realizados principalmente para controle da angina (85%) e/ou tratamento de uma grande área isquêmica (24%). A taxa de sucesso técnico foi de 84% e foi alcançada com técnicas de fios anterógrados em 81%, dissecção/reentrada anterógrada em 9% e retrógrada em 10% dos procedimentos. Os eventos cardiovasculares adversos intra-hospitalares ocorreram em 2,3% dos casos, sendo a mortalidade de 0,75%. CONCLUSÕES: As OTC podem ser tratadas no Brasil por intervenção coronária percutânea de forma efetiva e com baixas taxas de complicações. O desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico observado nessa área na última década reflete-se na prática clínica de centros brasileiros dedicados a essa técnica.

Panorama das Intervenções Coronárias Percutâneas em Oclusões Totais Crônicas em Centros Participantes do LATAM CTO Registry no Brasil / Overview of Percutaneous Coronary Interventions for Chronic Total Occlusions Treated at Brazilian Centers Participating in the LATAM CTO Registry

Resumo Fundamento Tem sido observado um grande avanço nas técnicas e nos dispositivos para a realização de intervenções coronárias percutâneas (ICP) em oclusões totais coronarianas crônicas (OTC), mas existem poucos dados da prática do mundo real em países em desenvolvimento. Objetivos Relatar as características clínicas e angiográficas, os aspectos dos procedimentos e os resultados clínicos da ICP de OTC em centros dedicados a esse procedimento no Brasil. Métodos Os pacientes incluídos foram submetidos à ICP de OTC em centros participantes do LATAM CTO Registry, um registro multicêntrico latino-americano dedicado à coleta prospectiva desses dados. Os critérios de inclusão foram procedimentos realizados no Brasil, idade acima de 18 anos e presença de OTC com tentativa de ICP. A definição de OTC foi lesão de 100% em uma artéria coronária epicárdica, conhecida ou estimada como tendo pelo menos 3 meses de evolução. Resultados Foram incluídos dados de 1.196 ICPs de OTC. Os procedimentos foram realizados principalmente para controle da angina (85%) e/ou tratamento de uma grande área isquêmica (24%). A taxa de sucesso técnico foi de 84% e foi alcançada com técnicas de fios anterógrados em 81%, dissecção/reentrada anterógrada em 9% e retrógrada em 10% dos procedimentos. Os eventos cardiovasculares adversos intra-hospitalares ocorreram em 2,3% dos casos, sendo a mortalidade de 0,75%. Conclusões As OTC podem ser tratadas no Brasil por intervenção coronária percutânea de forma efetiva e com baixas taxas de complicações. O desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico observado nessa área na última década reflete-se na prática clínica de centros brasileiros dedicados a essa técnica.

Abstract Background Major advances have been seen in techniques and devices for performing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for chronic total occlusions (CTOs), but there are limited real-world practice data from developing countries. Objectives To report clinical and angiographic characteristics, procedural aspects, and clinical outcomes of CTO PCI performed at dedicated centers in Brazil. Methods Included patients underwent CTO PCI at centers participating in the LATAM CTO Registry, a Latin American multicenter registry dedicated to prospective collection of these data. Inclusion criteria were procedures performed in Brazil, age 18 years or over, and presence of CTO with PCI attempt. CTO was defined as a 100% lesion in an epicardial coronary artery, known or estimated to have lasted at least 3 months. Results Data on 1196 CTO PCIs were included. Procedures were performed primarily for angina control (85%) and/or treatment of moderate/severe ischemia (24%). Technical success rate was 84%, being achieved with antegrade wire approaches in 81% of procedures, antegrade dissection and re-entry in 9%, and retrograde approaches in 10%. In-hospital adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 2.3% of cases, with a mortality rate of 0.75%. Conclusions CTOs can be treated effectively in Brazil by using PCI, with low complication rates. The scientific and technological development observed in this area in the past decade is reflected in the clinical practice of dedicated Brazilian centers.

In-stent chronic total occlusion angioplasty in the LATAM-CTO registry.

OBJECTIVES: To inform about contemporary PCI practice of in-stent (IS) chronic total occlusions (CTO) from a large international registry in Latin America. BACKGROUND: IS-CTO represent a distinctive challenge for PCI, but literature is limited and restricted to high-resource regions of the world. METHODS: Patients undergoing CTO PCI enrolled in the LATAM CTO registry from 42 centers in eight countries were included. We analyzed demographics, angiographic, procedure technique, success and postprocedural outcomes between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO PCI. RESULTS: From 1,565 patients IS-CTO was present in 181 patients (11.5%). IS-CTO patients had higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension than patients without IS-CTO. IS-CTOs had less calcification (32.5 vs. 46.7%, p < .001), lower prevalence of a proximal branch (36.3 vs. 50.1%, p < .001), more likely to be ostial (24.4 vs. 18.1%, p = .042), were longer (28.5 vs. 25.2 mm, p = .062), and had less interventional collaterals (49.1 vs. 57.3%, p = .038) compared with non-IS-CTO. CTO complexity scores were similar between both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the initial or successful strategy between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO PCI. Technical success rates remained high in IS-CTO (86.7%) and non-IS-CTO (83.1%, p = .230). There was no independent association between IS-CTO and technical success in multivariable analysis. There were no differences between IS-CTO and non-IS-CTO groups for in-hospital clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: In a contemporary, multicenter, and international registry from Latin America, IS-CTO PCI is frequent and has comparable technical success and safety profile compared to non-IS-CTO PCI.

Cardiovascular Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Global Perspective.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents the pandemic of the century, with approximately 3.5 million cases and 250,000 deaths worldwide as of May 2020. Although respiratory symptoms usually dominate the clinical presentation, COVID-19 is now known to also have potentially serious cardiovascular consequences, including myocardial injury, myocarditis, acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary embolism, stroke, arrhythmias, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. The cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 might be related to the adrenergic drive, systemic inflammatory milieu and cytokine-release syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2, direct viral infection of myocardial and endothelial cells, hypoxia due to respiratory failure, electrolytic imbalances, fluid overload, and side effects of certain COVID-19 medications. COVID-19 has profoundly reshaped usual care of both ambulatory and acute cardiac patients, by leading to the cancellation of elective procedures and by reducing the efficiency of existing pathways of urgent care, respectively. Decreased use of health care services for acute conditions by non-COVID-19 patients has also been reported and attributed to concerns about acquiring in-hospital infection. Innovative approaches that leverage modern technologies to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic have been introduced, which include telemedicine, dissemination of educational material over social media, smartphone apps for case tracking, and artificial intelligence for pandemic modelling, among others. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology and cardiovascular implications of COVID-19, its impact on existing pathways of care, the role of modern technologies to tackle the pandemic, and a proposal of novel management algorithms for the most common acute cardiac conditions.

Successful Treatment of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection With Subintimal Tracking and Re-Entry Technique.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains necessary in patients with spontaneous coronary dissection (SCAD) with ongoing ischemia. However, PCI in SCAD is associated with poor results. Fenestration with a cutting balloon has been described to release the extraluminal compression. The authors describe 2 cases managed successfully with another fenestration technique-the subintimal tracking and re-entry technique. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Fluoroscopic Anatomy of Right-Sided Heart Structures for Transcatheter Interventions.

Performing transcatheter tricuspid valve interventions requires a thorough knowledge of right-heart imaging. Integration of chamber views across the spectrum of imaging modalities (i.e., multislice computed tomography, fluoroscopy, and echocardiography) can facilitate transcatheter interventions on the right heart. Optimal fluoroscopic viewing angles for guiding interventional procedures can be obtained using pre-procedural multislice computed tomography scans. The present paper describes fluoroscopic viewing angles necessary to appreciate right-heart chamber anatomy and their relationship to echocardiography using multislice computed tomography.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Chronic Total Occlusion.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic total occlusion is a rapidly evolving area, being considered the last frontier of interventional cardiology. In recent years, the development of new techniques and equipment, as well as the training of specialized personnel, increased their success rates, making it the most predictable procedure available. Although the number of randomized and controlled studies is still limited, results from large multicentered registries allow us to safely offer this intervention to patients, as another treatment option along with the optimized drug treatment and myocardial revascularization surgery. This review summarizes the last and most relevant publications in the subject in order to provide an overall view of the field's current status.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Chronic Total Occlusion / Intervenção Coronária Percutânea em Oclusão Total Crônica

Abstract Percutaneous coronary intervention in chronic total occlusion is a rapidly evolving area, being considered the last frontier of interventional cardiology. In recent years, the development of new techniques and equipment, as well as the training of specialized personnel, increased their success rates, making it the most predictable procedure available. Although the number of randomized and controlled studies is still limited, results from large multicentered registries allow us to safely offer this intervention to patients, as another treatment option along with the optimized drug treatment and myocardial revascularization surgery. This review summarizes the last and most relevant publications in the subject in order to provide an overall view of the field's current status.

Resumo A intervenção coronária percutânea em oclusão total crônica é uma área em rápida evolução, sendo considerada a última fronteira da cardiologia intervencionista. Nos últimos anos, o desenvolvimento de novas técnicas e equipamentos, assim como o treinamento de operadores especializados, elevaram sua taxa de sucesso, tornando o procedimento mais previsível. Apesar do número de estudos randomizados e controlados ainda ser limitado, resultados de grandes registros multicêntricos nos permitem oferecer essa intervenção aos pacientes com segurança, como mais uma opção de tratamento junto ao tratamento medicamentoso otimizado e ao lado cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica. Na presente revisão, resumimos as últimas e mais relevantes publicações sobre o assunto a fim de fornecer uma visão geral do atual estado da área.

Incidence, predictors and longer-term impact of troponin elevation following hybrid chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: We examined the incidence of periprocedural cardiac enzyme rise (PCER) [troponin T (TnT) or high-sensivity (hs)TnT >5× the upper limit of normal (ULN)] and periprocedural myocardial infarction (PMI), predictors of PCER and impact of PCER on the longer-term major adverse cardiac events (MACE) following hybrid chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). BACKGROUND: PCER and PMI after CTO PCI, risk factors for PCER and its impact on longer-term MACE are not fully understood. METHODS: Among 469 CTO PCI cases performed between 01/2010 and 12/2015, next-day TnT or hsTnT was measured in 455 (97%). We examined the incidence of PCER and PMI (with clinical context or TnT ≥70× ULN). In 269 successful cases who had TnT measured, longer-term MACE (death, MI or target-vessel revascularisation/re-occlusion) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 420 CTOs (92.3%) were treated successfully. PCER was documented in 34%, while PMI in 2.9%. By multivariable analyses, higher J-CTO score (OR = 1.3 per point; P = 0.002), lower creatinine clearance (OR = 1.01 per each cc/min decrease; P < 0.0001) and recent MI (OR = 2.4; P = 0.007) were independent pre-PCI risk factors for PCER. Among procedural variables, retrograde approach (OR = 1.9; P = 0.014) and procedure duration (OR = 1.2 per 30 min; P = 0.007) were associated with PCER. At a median follow-up of 396 days following successful CTO PCI, PCER was not associated with higher MACE (9.3% vs. 8.1%; P = 0.60), and was not a predictor of MACE in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: PCER following hybrid CTO PCI is detected in 1/3 of patients. However, true PMI occurs in 2.9%. PCER does not predict adverse long-term outcomes.

Estudo SAVEME (Salvamento Miocárdico Após Angioplastia de Resgate: Avaliação por Ressonância Magnética). Racional e desenho do estudo / SAVEME (Myocardial Salvage After Rescue Angioplasty: Evaluation by Magnetic Resonance) Study: Rationale and Study Design

Introdução: A doença aterosclerótica é responsável por um terço dos óbitos ocorridos anualmente, pois frequentemente leva a complicações como infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IMCST). A intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) de resgate é indicada caso ocorra falha da terapia trombolítica administrada neste cenário. No entanto, os benefícios, em termos de redução da taxa de mortalidade e da quantidade de miocárdio efetivamente salvo, não são bem estabelecidos. O desenvolvimento de novas ferramentas, entre elas a ressonância magnética cardíaca, para identificar a área miocárdica em risco e infartada, elevou a acurácia diagnóstica. Diferentemente do contexto da ICP primária, pouco se sabe sobre a relação entre o fluxo coronário epicárdico e microvascular após a ICP de resgate e a área de miocárdio salva. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se existe relação entre tais fluxos e a área de miocárdio salva identificada pela ressonância magnética. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, aberto, unicêntrico, de intervenção. Serão selecionados 72 pacientes com IMCST que tiverem realizado ICP de resgate após falha documentada da terapia fibrinolítica transferidos para este serviço, obedecendo uma estratégia fármaco-invasiva. Conclusões: Ao término desta pesquisa, esperamos contribuir para o conhecimento sobre o fluxo coronariano e sua relação com a quantidade de músculo cardíaco salvo após a ICP de resgate. Esta é uma informação que pode ajudar a entender quais casos mais se beneficiam da ICP de resgate

Introduction: Atherosclerotic disease accounts for one-third of deaths annually, as it often leads to complications such as ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is indicated in case of thrombolytic therapy failure administered in this scenario. However, the benefits regarding mortality rate reduction and the amount of myocardium that is actually salvaged are not well established. The development of new tools, including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, to identify the myocardium at risk and the infarcted area has increased diagnostic accuracy. Differently from the context of primary PCI, little is known about the association between epicardial and microvascular coronary flow following rescue PCI and the salvaged myocardial area. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether there is an association between coronary flow and the salvaged myocardial area identified by magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: This will be a prospective, open, single-center, intervention study. A total of 72 patients with STEMI who underwent rescue PCI after documented failure of the fibrinolytic therapy, and were transferred to our institution, will be selected, observing a pharmacoinvasive strategy

Coronary to bronchial artery fistula: are we treating it right?

Fistulas between coronary artery and bronchial artery may be present from birth, with few hemodynamic consequences, and may remain closed due to similarity of the filling pressures at these 2 sites. They can also be secondary to pulmonary artery occlusive disease or chronic pulmonary inflammation. These pulmonary changes may cause a dilation of the fistula and make it functional, causing angina pectoris by coronary steal syndrome, which is the most common symptom. The presentation may also be composed of episodes of hemoptysis, heart failure, and infective endocarditis. However, most patients remain asymptomatic. The ones that need treatment may not have a good response to the medical management, requiring an intervention. This can be done using embolization coils, stents grafts, and performing surgical ligation of the fistulas.

Pseudoaneurisma: rara complicação do acesso radial / Pseudoaneurysm: a rare complications of radial access

A via radial apresenta menores taxas de complicações vasculares para realização de cinecoronariografia. O pseudoaneurisma da artéria radial é uma complicação rara desse procedimento. O diagnóstico precoce é essencial para evitar complicações como ruptura espontânea, isquemia e síndrome compartimental. Neste relato é descrito um caso de pseudoaneurisma da artéria radial direita após realização de cinecoronariografia eletiva. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por ultrassonografia com Doppler, que evidenciou pseudoaneurisma da artéria radial na face anteromedial do antebraço, medindo 3,7 x 2,5 cm, com colo de 0,7 cm. O tratamento foi feito com curativo compressivo local e nova ultrassonografia com Doppler, realizada 12 horas após, demonstrou resolução do pseudoaneurisma.

The radial approach has lower vascular complication rates for coronary angiography. Radial artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of this procedure. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid complications such as spontaneous rupture, ischemia and compartment syndrome. We describe a case of pseudoaneurysm of the right radial artery after elective coronary angiography. Diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler ultrasound, which revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the radial artery on the anteromedial surface of the forearm, measuring 3.7 x 2.5 cm, with a neck of 0.7 cm. Treatment was done with local compressive dressing and a new Doppler ultrasound, performed 12 hours later, demonstrated resolution of the pseudoaneurysm.

Catheter-induced in-stented segment coronary dissection.

Coronary angiography can lead to different kinds of complications. Catheter-induced coronary dissection is one of the most feared of them. It is uncommonly reported and may result in ischemic events ranging from angina to death. We report a case of a woman admitted to the hospital due to progressive effort angina who had a complication during percutaneous coronary intervention not previously reported. It is a usual thinking that a coronary artery stented segment would not be prone to dissect either spontaneously or catheter-induced. This report describes a catheter-induced in-stented segment coronary dissection and a discussion if the dissection line involving the left anterior descending coronary artery stented segment occurred between the stent and the intimal hyperplasia or between the stent and the adventitia.

Trombocitopenia aguda pós-angioplastia coronária primária / Acute thrombocytopenia following primary coronary angioplasty

A intervenção coronária percutânea com stent associada ao uso de aspirina, clopidogrel, heparina e inibidores da glicoproteína IIb/IIa diminuiu a incidência de desfechos desfavoráveis ao contexto da síndrome coronária aguda. Contudo, tal associação pode dificultar o manejo do paciente que evolui com plaquetopenia, uma complicação rara do uso do abcximab e da heparina, mas de grande importância clínica. Descrevemos o caso de um paciente com infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST, que evoluiu com plaquetopenia após o início do tratamento. Avaliamos a literatura sobre a diferença da plaquetopenia secundária ao uso do abcximab e da heparina, a fisiopatologia dessa complicação e o manejo dessa condição paradoxal, em que a antiagregação é imperativa em decorrência do uso do stent, e em que pode haver sangramentos significativos ou trombose do stent pela interrupção dos medicamentos.

The use of stents in percutaneous coronary interventions, associated with aspirin, clopidogrel, heparin and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors has reduced the incidence of unfavorable outcomes in acute coronary syndromes. However, this association may hinder the management of patients who develop thrombocytopenia, a rare but clinically important complication of the use of abciximab and heparin. We describe a case of a patient with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who developed thrombocytopenia after the initial treatment. We evaluated literature data on the difference of thrombocytopenia secondary to the use of abciximab and heparin, the pathophysiology of this complication and the management of this paradoxical condition where antiplatelet therapy is imperative due to the use of stent, but where there may be significant bleeding or stent thrombosis due to drug discontinuation.

Ultrasound evaluations of internal jugular vein punction techniques in children: the easiest method to reach the target area.

The objective of this study is to determine the best way to access and the position in which the patients must remain in order to obtain the best transversal section of the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) section during the catheterization by ultrasound, allowing a safer and precise access. The three possible ways to access the RIJV, anterior, lateral and posterior, from 57 healthy children, were examined by ultrasound in one similar sequence of positions: horizontal dorsal decubitus with the head centered in neutral position with and without the use of a pillow; horizontal dorsal decubitus with contralateral rotation of the head with and without the use of a pillow; horizontal dorsal decubitus with the head centered in neutral position and the patient in the Trendelenburg position without the use of a pillow. The relation between the different positions and punction regions in RIJV were established using analysis of variance. As a result, the lateral punction with the patient in the Trendelemburg position offered a largest area of the RIJV transversal section in comparison to all the other options (P<0.0001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the safer and precise way for the RIJV catheterization in pediatric patients is obtained in Trendelenburg position with lateral access and without a pillow.