Outcome After Crossing Femoropopliteal Chronic Total Occlusions Based on Optical Coherence Tomography Guidance

The crossing of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is the key step for an endovascular treatment. The Ocelot system is a novel device that combines a steerable drilling tip with optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology. It provides intraluminal imaging to help the crossing of CTOs in the femoropopliteal segment. Aim of the study was to determine early and midterm results after recanalization with this device.

During a period of 16 months, 84 CTOs were treated using the Ocelot system and prospectively registered. The primary end points were technical success and the primary and secondary patency of the lesion. Risk factors associated with early and midterm results were also analyzed. In all, 58 (69.0%) lesions were treated for intermittent claudication, 26 (31.0%) for critical limb ischemia, 34 (40.5%) were classified as Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D lesions, and 22 (26.2%) showed severe calcifications. The technical success rate was 72.6%. During 36 months of follow-up (mean 25.9), there were 10 reinterventions. The primary and secondary patency at 36 months were 54.2% and 68.1%, respectively.

In our experience, the Ocelot system would appear to be a safe and effective tool for increasing the applicability of endovascular techniques. However, the midterm results did not show drastic improvement.