ADVERTISEMENT
Single Access Versus Dual Antegrade and Retrograde Access Approach for Chronic Total Occlusion Recanalization in Complex Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an undertreated and debilitating illness affecting 8.5 million Americans and is associated with excessively high rates of morbidity and mortality.1,2 It is the leading cause of amputation, with more than 150,000 amputations occurring each year in the United States.3,4 Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the worst form of PAD, as there is a 20% mortality within 6 months of diagnosis and 20% of patients receive an amputation within one year.5,6 Revascularization is essential to improve symptoms, heal wounds, and ultimately prevent amputation.7
The biggest challenge in endovascular revascularization is chronic total occlusion (CTO). CTOs account for up to 40% to 50% of lesions in PAD and have high treatment failure rates (20% to 40%), due to inability to cross the lesion into the true lumen.8–10 Interventionalists are increasingly opting for an endovascular first approach, especially in high-risk CLI patients, as studies have demonstrated similar outcomes to surgery.5,11 For this reason, it is vital to adopt advanced techniques in order to improve crossing and treatment success.
Traditionally, the most common endovascular approach is the contralateral retrograde “up and over,” which carries a 20% failure rate, even when undertaken by skilled operators.12 This approach is limited by decreased torquability, pushability, and reach of equipment. Recently, alternative retrograde access utilization has gained popularity and demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy.10 However, the combination of the antegrade and retrograde approach has not been widely studied or described in literature.13–15
Using dual antegrade and retrograde approach in coronary CTO intervention has boosted success from 50% to 70% to over 90% and has been incorporated into treatment algorithms.16–18 With such great success in the coronary bed, we think that combining antegrade and retrograde access can increase crossing success in peripheral CTOs.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of utilizing dual antegrade and retrograde access approach for crossing peripheral CTOs.
Methods
Patients
A retrospective review of all patients who had at least one CTO of the lower extremity with endovascular intervention by a single operator was performed from August 2013 to January 2018 at a community hospital. Central institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was waived. The study included 141 patients (95 males, 46 females). Patients were categorized into two cohorts: (1), single access (single antegrade or retrograde access approach, n=88) and (2), dual access (dual antegrade and retrograde access approach, n=53). All patients had Rutherford class (RC) 3-6 manifestations.19 Data collection included baseline participant demographics, relevant medical history, and procedural characteristics.
Procedure
The patients were treated according to the standards of care at the institution and per the physician preference. Depending on the location of percutaneous access being achieved, the patient was placed in either supine, prone, or reversed position. All alternative access was achieved using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Each patient received local and conscious sedation. Anticoagulation was accomplished using weight-based doses of heparin to achieve a therapeutic activated clotting time between 250 to 300 seconds. Access sites consisted of femoral, popliteal, tibiopedal, and brachial. The CTOs were located in the iliac, femoropopliteal, or infrapopliteal vessels, which include the tibioperoneal trunk, anterior tibial, peroneal, and posterior tibial. Crossing direction was classified as antegrade, retrograde, or both. Intimal and subintimal crossing was documented as well if a wire or crossing device went subintimal at any point during the procedure.
Study Definitions and Endpoints
Technical crossing success was defined as the ability to deliver a wire through the entirety of the CTO into the true lumen and subsequently pass a catheter or balloon for revascularization. Documented complications included minor and major hematoma, perforation, retroperitoneal bleed, pseudoaneurysm, acute kidney injury, blood transfusion, and in-hospital death. Patient and procedural demographics were evaluated to identify factors that influence CTO crossing success or failure.
Statistical Analysis
SPSS (version 25; IMB SPSS) and XLSTAT (2018; Data Analysis and Statistical Solution for Microsoft Excel.) software were used for data collection and statistical analysis. Values presented are n (%) or mean ± standard deviation. P-values for quantitative variables are from the Mann-Whitney U test. P-values for qualitative variables are from the Chi-square test or the Fisher exact test (if theoretical frequencies were <5). Propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis was also utilized to optimize the balance of baseline demographics and lesion characteristics. The significantly different baseline variables (hyperlipidemia, wound present, prior amputation, prior treatment type, CTO vessel location, and CTO amount) were entered in a 1:1 matching model utilizing the optimal algorithm of Mahalanobis distance with a tolerance of 0.001, caliper of 0.10, and confidence interval of 95%. In addition, logistic regression multivariable analyses for predictors of CTO crossing success were conducted on all participants and the propensity score-matched participants. A forward stepwise model selection was utilized with a Likelihood ratio criterion and a probability for entry and removal in the multivariable model of 0.1 and 0.2, respectively. The overall classic logistic model was set to a tolerance of 0.001, confidence interval of 95%, stop conditions of 100 iterations, a convergence of 0.000001, and a constraint of a1=0. Variables included in the multivariable model are indicated by the asterisks in the baseline and procedural tables of the results section.
Results
The baseline subject demographics (Table 1) and CTO lesion characteristics (Table 2) are presented for all participants (88 single access vs 53 dual access) and the PSM participants (53 single access vs 53 dual access). There was a statistical balance of baseline variables after 1:1 PSM except for history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and treatment history, which indicated higher rates for the dual access participants (Table 1). Overall, there was a high percentage of patients with CLI (RC 4-6), diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a history of smoking and CAD (Table 1). After 1:1 matching there was a statistical balance of CTO lesions between the single access and dual access cohorts, with a similar average number of CTOs and lesion length (Table 2).
The most common form of dual access was via the combination of the common femoral artery (CFA) and the infrapopliteal artery (Table 3). Utilization of dual access versus single access resulted in a significantly higher percentage of retrograde CTO crossing and a significantly higher rate of going subintimal at any time (Table 4). The Glidewire Advantage/Quick-Cross (Terumo, Spectranetics) was utilized in 52.8% of the dual access subjects, and orbital atherectomy was the most common form of vessel preparation (26.4%). There was a significantly higher rate of CTO crossing success for the dual access participants (Table 4). Lastly, the rates of complications were low with no statistical difference between the two cohorts.
A multivariable analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of CTO crossing success (Table 5). Variables included in the model are indicated by asterisks in Tables 1 to 4. The multivariable model AUC (c-statistic) for all participants (n=141) and PSM participants (n=106) was 0.842 and 0.821, respectively. After matching, utilization of dual access remained as a positive predictor of CTO crossing success (odds ratio, 13.5, P =.001), whereas going subintimal at any time continued to indicate a negative impact on CTO crossing success (odds ratio 0.084, P =.001).
Discussion
Our study indicates that utilizing dual antegrade and retrograde access for the endovascular treatment of peripheral CTOs has a higher chance of crossing success and revascularization compared with single antegrade or retrograde access. The uniqueness of our study is that it included all-comers with CTOs at different vascular levels. The few other studies available were constrained by specific access sites and CTO locations.20–22 The patient population had significant comorbidities and included RC 4-6, which are typically excluded from large trials.23 In our study, even with the complex real-world patient population, successful outcomes were produced, often in one procedural setting, by implementing dual access. We believe that this is translatable and reproducible for endovascular procedural success.
The access sites were decided by the interventionalist prior to the procedure, based on a combination of physical examination, prior arterial Doppler studies, computed tomography angiography, and prior invasive angiogram if available. Before the start of the procedure, the dual access patients were prepared for both probable access sites. Upon initial angiography, the proximal and distal cap morphology was studied and the decision for antegrade or retrograde approach was decided from that assessment.
Proximal iliac CTOs can be difficult, as the contralateral “up and over” strategy does not always give adequate support. We used the brachial approach for crossing iliac CTOs in an antegrade fashion with the placement of a 90 cm sheath to improve pushability and support. Femoropopliteal CTOs can be approached by retrograde CFA and popliteal or infrapopliteal access.
These procedures were performed by an early career interventional cardiologist fewer than 5 years into interventional practice. During the initial years, the failure rate of CTO revascularization was 34%. This high rate of failure led to a dedicated change in practice with the implementation of the dual access approach for CTO cases, which was adopted from successful CTO revascularization in coronary arteries. These changes subsequently led to higher success rates.
Compared with the coronaries, peripheral CTOs present unique challenges as they occur on multiple vascular levels and at longer lengths but offer more options for access for a more direct engagement of the lesion. If a patient has multiple CTOs, it is important to open the first CTO to get access to the second CTO. Dual access could help approach the CTOs from both directions, and it increased the success rate in situations with more than one CTO. In cases of long lesions, dual access can provide options of treating the lesions from both the antegrade and retrograde route after crossing, which could potentially decrease the procedural time and radiation exposure.
Most interventionalists do not attempt retrograde access unless a traditional antegrade attempt fails. This could stem from the fear of compromising the last patent outflow vessel and doubling vascular complications. A recent study published by Saab et al characterized CTO cap morphology and proposed an algorithm for crossing CTOs.24 Type II (concave proximal cap and convex distal cap) and Type III (convex proximal cap and concave distal cap) caps are recommended to be approached with dual access. Taking this into account, traditional single access would be insufficient to cross a significant portion of CTOs. Severely calcified and long fibrotic lesions need the incorporation of dual access and advanced crossing techniques for successful crossing.
Case Examples
We present 3 case examples utilizing the dual access approach for CTO crossing in each lower extremity vascular level.
Figure 1 demonstrates a long CTO of the distal superficial femoral artery extending through the entire popliteal artery into the tibioperoneal trunk. There is a large collateral extending from the proximal cap. Because of this, the antegrade approach proved to be unfavorable as wires and catheters directed into the collateral instead of the vessel lumen. Retrograde access was achieved in the posterior tibial artery, and the entirety of the lesion was crossed. Successful treatment with atherectomy and drug-coated balloon demonstrated excellent results with rapid inflow.
Figure 2 shows a long CTO of the anterior tibial artery. Antegrade femoral and retrograde anterior tibial access was obtained. A wire and support catheter crossed the lesion through the retrograde sheath, and the wire was externalized for subsequent treatment. Atherectomy, angioplasty, and a drug-eluting stent demonstrated excellent outflow.
Figure 3 shows a flush occlusion of the right common and external iliac artery. Antegrade access was achieved in the left brachial and retrograde access in the right common femoral artery. The lesion was partially crossed from the antegrade direction and the remainder of the lesion from the retrograde direction. Subsequent angioplasty and stents demonstrated excellent flow.
Conclusion
The technique of dual antegrade and retrograde access significantly increases the rate of CTO crossing success in patients with complex PAD. Proper planning and optimal access sites are required for the success of this combination strategy. We believe this could have a major impact on successfully reducing the amputation rates.
Limitations
This was a nonrandomized, observational, single-center, retrospective study of procedural/index outcomes only. This study was not powered due to the limited sample size. Patient selection may be operator dependent, so the results may not be generalizable outside this observational study.
Bailey Ann Estes and Joji J. Varghese have nothing to disclose. Brad J. Martinsen and Zsuzsanna Igyarto are employees of Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Jihad A. Mustapha has a consulting agreement with Cardiovascular Systems, Inc and is a consultant to Bard Peripheral Vascular, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Terumo, and Phillips.
Manuscript submitted October 30, 2018 and accepted December 27, 2018.
Address for correspondence: Joji J. Varghese, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Hendrick Medical Center 1900 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601, Email: jvarghese@hendrickhealth.org
References
1. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics--2011 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011;123(4):e18-e209.
2. Heald CL, Fowkes FGR, Murray GD, Price JF; Ankle Brachial Index Collaboration. Risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease associated with the ankle-brachial index: Systematic review. Atherosclerosis. 2006;189(1):61-69.
3. Ziegler-Graham K, MacKenzie EJ, Ephraim PL, Travison TG, Brookmeyer R. Estimating the prevalence of limb loss in the United States: 2005 to 2050. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008;89(3):422-429.
4. Dormandy J, Thomas P. What is the natural history of a critically ischemic patient with and without his leg? In: Greenhalgh RM, Jamieson C, Nicolaides AN, Eds. Limb Salvage and Amputation for Vascular Disease. London: WB Saunders; 1988:11-26.
5. Adam DJ, Beard JD, Cleveland T, et al. Bypass versus angioplasty in severe ischaemia of the leg (BASIL): multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2005;366(9501):1925-1934.
6. Dormandy JA, Rutherford RB. Management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). TASC Working Group. TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC). J Vasc Surg. 2000;31(1 Pt 2):S1-S296.
7. Rudofker EW, Hogan SE, Armstrong EJ. Preventing major amputations in patients with critical limb ischemia. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2018;20(9):74.
8. Hamur H, Onk OA, Vuruskan E, et al. Determinants of chronic total occlusion in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Angiology. 2017;68(2):151-158.
9. Nadal LL, Cynamon J, Lipsitz EC, Bolia A. Subintimal angioplasty for chronic arterial occlusions. Tech Vasc Interv Radiol. 2004;7(1):16-22.
10. Mustapha JA, Saab F, McGoff T, et al. Tibio-pedal arterial minimally invasive retrograde revascularization in patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease: the TAMI technique, original case series. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;83(6):987-994.
11. Garg K, Kaszubski PA, Moridzadeh R, et al. Endovascular-first approach is not associated with worse amputation-free survival in appropriately selected patients with critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2014;59(2):392-399.
12. Montero-Baker M, Schmidt A, Braunlich S, et al. Retrograde approach for complex popliteal and tibioperoneal occlusions. J Endovasc Ther. 2008;15(5):594-604.
13. Shi W, Yao Y, Wang W, et al. Combined antegrade femoral artery and retrograde popliteal artery recanalization for chronic occlusions of the superficial femoral artery. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2014;25(9):1363-1368.
14. Venkatachalam S, Bunte M, Monteleone P, Lincoff A, Maier M, Shishehbor MH. Combined antegrade-retrograde intervention to improve chronic total occlusion recanalization in high-risk critical limb ischemia. Ann Vasc Surg. 2014;28(6):1439-1448.
15. Spinosa DJ, Harthun NL, Bissonette EA, et al. Subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention (SAFARI) for subintimal recanalization to treat chronic critical limb ischemia. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005;16(1):37-44.
16. Dash D. Retrograde coronary chronic total occlusion intervention. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2015;11(4):291-298.
17. Brilakis ES, Grantham JA, Thompson CA, et al. The retrograde approach to coronary artery chronic total occlusions: a practical approach. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2012;79(1):3-19.
18. Brilakis ES, Grantham JA, Rinfret S, et al. A percutaneous treatment algorithm for crossing coronary chronic total occlusions. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2012;5(4):367-379.
19. Rutherford RB, Baker JD, Ernst C, et al. Recommended standards for reports dealing with lower extremity ischemia: revised version. J Vasc Surg. 1997;26(3):517-538.
20. Wojtasik-Bakalarz J, Arif S, Chyrchel M, et al. Twelve months follow-up after retrograde recanalization of superficial femoral artery chronic total occlusion. Postepy W Kardiologii Interwencyjnej Adv Interv Cardiol. 2017;13(1):47-52.
21. Schmidt A, Bausback Y, Piorkowski M, et al. Retrograde recanalization technique for use after failed antegrade angioplasty in chronic femoral artery occlusions. J Endovasc Ther Off J Int Soc Endovasc Spec. 2012;19(1):23-29.
22. Dumantepe M. Retrograde Popliteal access to percutaneous peripheral intervention for chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral arteries. Vasc Endovascular Surg. 2017;51(5):240-246.
23. Setacci C, de Donato G, Teraa M, et al. Chapter IV: Treatment of critical limb ischaemia. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2011;42 Suppl 2:S43-59.
24. Saab F, Jaff MR, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, et al. Chronic total occlusion crossing approach based on plaque cap morphology: The CTOP classification. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2018;25(3):284-291.