Percutaneous coronary intervention of ostial left main coronary artery chronic total occlusion

Abstract

Background

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a rare presentation of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Clinical spectrum of presentations range from angina, heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest to very rarely asymptomatic. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of a LMCA CTO is technically challenging and complex.

Case summary

We report a 60 year old diabetic male who presented with angina on exertion of 2 years with a positive treadmill exercise stress testing. Coronary angiography showed left main coronary artery ostial CTO with retrograde filling of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) via collaterals from right coronary artery (RCA) which was dominant. The J-CTO Score was 2, SYNTAX score was 31 and the EuroSCORE II was 0.55 %. The CTO was successfully revascularized using antegrade wire escalation technique and a left main provisional stenting was performed under intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance.

Discussion

Coronary artery bypass surgery is the preferred treatment option for left main chronic total occlusion. The technical advances in wire helps antegrade wire escalation and de-escalation (AWE) strategy. IVUS helped us in identification of strategies to deal with calcification and plaque modification using cutting balloon to further optimization of the stents. The guide catheter extension system (GCES) was utilized to deliver the stents in long, diffuse and calcified coronary segments. Coronary angiography at 1 year showed patent stents.

Conclusion

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) chronic total occlusion (CTO) is challenging. AWE strategy is an option for safe revascularisation and IVUS assists in plaque modification along with stent optimisation to achieve good long term outcomes.