Saphenous Vein Graft Occlusion Following Native Vessel Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Spyridon Kostantinis, Bahadir Simsek, Judit Karacsonyi

  • 1Minneapolis Heart Institute, 920 E 28th Street #300, Minneapolis, MN 55407 USA. esbrilakis@gmail.com.

Insights

Occluding saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) after successful native vessel chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is often performed. This strategy is linked to favorable mid-term outcomes, with low rates of target-lesion failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • The optimal management of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) after successful chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the native vessel is debated.
  • SVGs can remain patent after CTO-PCI but may pose risks or complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical and angiographic outcomes of SVG occlusion following successful native vessel CTO-PCI.
  • To assess the safety and efficacy of SVG occlusion as a strategy after CTO-PCI.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter analysis of 51 patients undergoing SVG occlusion post-CTO-PCI between 2015 and 2022.
  • Patients' clinical and angiographic data were collected, and procedural outcomes were analyzed.
  • SVG occlusion was achieved using coils or vascular plugs.

Main Results:

  • The majority of patients were male (80%), with a mean age of 71 ± 8 years.
  • The right coronary artery was the most common target vessel for CTO-PCI.
  • Successful SVG occlusion was achieved in all cases, with complete occlusion (TIMI 0 flow) in 75% of patients. Target-lesion failure incidence was 5.4% at mid-term follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • SVG occlusion is frequently performed after successful native vessel CTO-PCI.
  • The procedure is technically successful and associated with favorable mid-term clinical outcomes.
  • SVG occlusion appears to be a safe and effective strategy in selected patients post-CTO-PCI.
Abstract