Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for percutaneous treatment of chronic total coronary occlusions: a meta-analysis

BRS represent a new approach to treating coronary artery disease. Beneficial properties of BRS regarding the restoration of vasomotility after resorption make them attractive devices in CTO revascularization. However, experience in this setting is limited.

We systematically searched Medline, Scholar, and Scopus for reports of at least 9 patients with CTO undergoing BRS implantation. Patients' and procedural characteristics were summarized. The primary outcome of interest was target lesion revascularization (TLR). Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017069322).

Thirteen reports for a total of 843 lesions with a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR 6-12) were included in the analysis. At short-term, the summary estimate rate of TLR was 2.6% (95% CI: 1 to 4%, I² = 0%, P = 0.887) while at mid to long-term it was 3.8% (95% CI: 2 to 6%, I² = 0%, P = 0.803). At long-term follow-up (≥12 months), the summary estimate rate of cardiac death was 1.1% (95% CI: 0 to 2%, I² = 0%, P = 0.887). The summary estimate rates of scaffold thrombosis and clinical restenosis were respectively 0.9% (95% CI: 0 to 2%, I² = 0%, P = 0.919) and 1.8% (95% CI: 0 to 4%, I² = 0%, P = 0.448). Finally, the summary estimate rate of target vessel revascularization was 6.6% (95% CI: 0 to 11%, I² = 0%, P = 0.04).

Implantation of BRS in a population with CTO is feasible, although further longer-term outcome studies are necessary.