Alexander Nap

Prevalence of ischaemia in patients with a chronic total occlusion and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims Previous studies on invasive assessment of collateral function in patients with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) have displayed only a limited increase in collateral flow and high occurrence of coronary steal during pharmacological stress. This could question the necessity for ischaemia testing prior to revascularization of CTOs in the presence of myocardial viability. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of perfusion impairments in patients with a CTO as assessed by [15O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET). Methods and results Seventy-six consecutive patients (60 men, 62 ± 10 years) with a documented CTO and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were included. All patients underwent PET to assess (hyperaemic) myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR). Collateral connection score was 0 in 7 (9%), 1 in 13 (17%), and 2 in 56 (74%) of the cases, with predominantly a high Rentrop grade (96% ≥2). MBF of the target area during hyperaemia was significantly lower when compared with the remote area (1.37 ± 0.37 vs. 2.63 ± 0.71 mL min-1 g-1, P < 0.001). Target to remote ratio during hyperaemia was on average 0.54 ± 0.13, and 73 (96%) patients demonstrated a significantly impaired target to remote ratio (≤0.75). Only 7 (9%) patients displayed a preserved CFR of ≥2.50, whereas coronary steal (CFR <1.0) was observed in 10 (13%) patients. Conclusions Even in the presence of angiographically well-developed collateral arteries, the vast majority of CTO patients with a preserved LVEF showed significantly impaired perfusion. These results suggest that collateral function during increased blood flow demand in viable myocardium is predominantly insufficient.

Value of Hybrid Imaging with PET/CT to Guide Percutaneous Revascularization of Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion

Chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO) are documented in approximately one fifth of diagnostic invasive coronary angiographies (ICA). Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) of CTO are challenging and are accompanied by higher complication and lower success rates in comparison with non-CTO PCI. Scrutinous evaluation of ischemia and viability to justify percutaneous revascularization is therefore of importance to select eligible patients for such a procedure. Furthermore, knowledge of the anatomical features of the occlusion may predict the chances of success of PCI CTO and could even guide the procedural strategy to augment the likelihood of recanalization. Positron emission tomography (PET) is unequivocally accepted as the reference standard for ischemia and viability testing, whereas coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) currently allows for non-invasive detailed three-dimensional imaging of the coronary anatomy that adds morphological information over two-dimensional ICA. Hybrid PET/CT could therefore be useful for optimal patient selection as well as procedural planning. This review discusses the potential value of PET/CT to guide PCI in CTOs.

Subadventitial stenting around occluded stents: A bailout technique to recanalize in-stent chronic total occlusions

To evaluate the outcomes of subadventitial stenting (SS) around occluded stents for recanalizing in‐stent chronic total occlusions (IS‐CTOs).

Impact of right ventricular side branch occlusion during percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions on right ventricular function

OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of right ventricular side branch (RVB) occlusion, during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) of the right coronary artery (RCA), on right ventricular (RV) function. BACKGROUND Developments in PCI techniques have expanded PCI CTO feasibility. However, the utilization of dissection and reentry techniques and extensive stent implantation increases the risk of coronary side branch occlusion. METHODS Fifty-four patients (80% male, 63±10years) evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) prior and three months after successful PCI CTO RCA (median: 99days, IQR: 92-105days) were included. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), end-systolic volume (RVESV), and ejection fraction (RVEF) were quantified on CMR images. Occurrence of RVB occlusion and/or RVB recruitment was assessed using procedural angiograms. RESULTS RVB occlusion was observed in 12 patients (22%), while RVB recruitment occurred in seven patients (13%). Overall, RVEF was comparable between baseline and follow-up (53.8±5.8 vs. 53.9±5.8%, p=0.95). RVB occlusion was not associated with a significant change in RVEDV or RVEF (156.9±36.3 vs. 162.1±35.5mL, p=0.30 and 54.2±3.9 vs. 52.7±4.4%, p=0.19, respectively); however a trend was observed for an increase of RVESV (72.5±20.0 vs. 77.4±20.7mL, p=0.05) at follow-up. RVB recruitment did not result in a significant improvement of RVEF (55.4±4.6 vs. 56.1±5.3%, p=0.75). CONCLUSION RVB occlusion was not associated with a significant decreased RVEF at follow-up, although the results suggested a limited increase of RVESV.

PREVALENCE OF ISCHEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH A CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSION AND PRESERVED LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION

Chronic total occlusions (CTO) with well functioning collaterals are frequently assumed to provide sufficient blood flow to prevent myocardial ischemia. Previous studies on invasive assessment of collateral function during pharmalogical stress, however, have displayed only a limited increase in

Evaluation of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve after implantation of a bioresorbable vascular scaffold versus metal drug-eluting stent: an interim one-month analysis of the VANISH trial

AIMS A randomised clinical trial of bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) vs. metal drug-eluting stent (DES) was initiated, using positron emission tomography (PET) perfusion imaging to assess the effects of both treatments on (hyperaemic) myocardial blood flow (MBF) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) over a three-year period (VANISH trial). In the present study, early, i.e., after one month, MBF and CFR are reported. METHODS AND RESULTS Sixty patients (45 men [75%], 55±7 years) with a documented single-vessel type A or B1 lesion were included in this single-blind randomised clinical trial. Patients were randomised to implantation of a BVS or DES in a one-to-one fashion. Approximately one month after percutaneous coronary intervention, patients underwent [15O]H2O PET to assess (hyperaemic) MBF, cold pressor test MBF, and CFR. One patient refused PET perfusion at one-month follow-up (in the DES arm). MBF of the treated myocardial territory during rest, CPT, and hyperaemia were not different in BVS-treated patients as compared to DES-treated patients (1.02±0.28 vs. 0.96±0.24 mL·min-1·g-1, p=0.38, 1.20±0.38 vs. 1.08±0.23 mL·min-1·g-1, p=0.16, and 3.04±0.80 vs. 3.33±0.77 mL·min-1·g-1, p=0.16, respectively). CFR of the treated myocardial territory was significantly lower in the BVS-treated patients (3.09±0.94 vs. 3.57±0.85, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS No differences in PET-derived absolute myocardial perfusion were observed between BVS-treated patients as compared to DES-treated patients at one-month follow-up. CFR was attenuated in BVS-treated patients, although still within the normal range.