Prevalence, indications and management of balloon uncrossable chronic total occlusions: Insights from a contemporary multicenter US registry

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2017

Publication Title

Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Balloon uncrossable lesions can be challenging to treat, requiring specialized techniques and equipment.

METHODS: We examined the prevalence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, management and procedural outcomes of balloon uncrossable lesions in a multicenter chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry.

RESULTS: Between 2012 and 2016, 718 CTO PCIs (in which the occlusion was successfully crossed with a guidewire) were performed in 701 patients at 11 US centers. Mean age was 65.6 ± 10 years and 84% of the patients were men. Balloon uncrossable lesions represented 9% of all CTOs. Balloon uncrossable CTOs had more moderate/severe calcification (82% vs. 52%, P < 0.0001), moderate/severe tortuosity (61% vs. 35% P < 0.0001) and higher J-CTO score (2.95 ± 1.32 vs. 2.43 ± 1.23, P = 0.005) as compared with the remaining lesions. Technical and procedural success was significantly lower for balloon uncrossable lesions (90.5% vs. 98.3%, P < 0.0001 and 88.9% vs. 96.6% P = 0.004), respectively, but the incidence of major adverse events was similar (1.6% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.751). Balloon uncrossable lesions required longer procedure (208 [interquartile range: 135, 258] vs. 135 [94, 194] min, P < 0.0001) and fluoroscopy (77 [52, 100] vs. 45 min [27, 75], P < 0.0001) time. Techniques used to treat balloon uncrossable lesions included balloon-assisted microdissection (23%), excimer laser atherectomy (18%), and rotational atherectomy (16%). Excimer laser atherectomy and balloon-assisted microdissection were associated with the highest technical and procedural success rates.

CONCLUSIONS: Balloon uncrossable CTOs are common, are associated with high rates of technical failure, and require specialized techniques for successful treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Medical Subject Headings

Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Atherectomy, Coronary; Chronic Disease; Coronary Angiography; Coronary Occlusion; Female; Humans; Lasers, Excimer; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Registries; Risk Factors; Stents; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; United States

PubMed ID

27650935

Volume

90

Issue

1

First Page

12

Last Page

20

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