Background: The therapeutic management of patients with multivessel disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction is complex and controversial.Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes and the changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and at least one chronic total occlusion (CTO) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with hemodynamic support provided by Impella.Methods: Retrospective, multicenter study enrolling patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction and severe coronary artery disease with at least one CTO who required percutaneous mechanical circulatory support with Impella, from January 2019 to December 2023. The primary endpoints were the incidence of MACE (composite of cardiovascular death, acute myocardial infarct, and target lesion revascularization) at 90 days. The secondary endpoint was changes in LVEF and functional class during the same period.Results: A total of 27 patients (34 CTOs) were included in the study. The mean SYNTAX score was 35 ± 11. The median J‐CTO score of 2 (1–3). At 90 day of follow‐up, there were three MACE (11%), two cardiovascular deaths and one TLR; three vascular complications were related to access for the Impella device (only one required invasive treatment); and LVEF improved significantly after revascularization (delta LVEF: 10% [CI 95% 6, 15]). A total of 81% of patients improved their angina or dyspnea status at 90 days.Conclusions: In high‐risk patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction with complex coronary disease including CTO, PCI with mechanical circulatory support using the Impella device is associated with favorable safety and efficacy outcomes at short‐term follow‐up.

Background/Objectives: The cardiac hypoxia- and inflammation-associated processes in patients with chronic coronary artery disease remain unknown. The coronary sinus (CS) can be used to explore changes in cardiac microenvironment. This study sought to evaluate acute changes in the CS concentration of hypoxia and inflammation-associated biomarkers after the percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusions (CTO-PCI). Additionally, we explored changes in systemic inflammation and the potential of CS biomarkers to predict left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improvement on follow-up. Methods: Thirty-three patients undergoing CTO-PCI were included. Samples from CS were collected before and after the revascularization. Twenty-six protein biomarkers associated with hypoxia and inflammation were measured using proximity extension assay technology. Systemic inflammation markers and LVEF on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were assessed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Results: CTO-PCI yielded a significant decrease in the concentration of CS pro-angiogenic biomarkers (angiopoietin-1, vascular endothelial growth factors). In addition, there was a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory biomarker interleukin-10 and a decrease in several pro-inflammatory biomarkers like interleukin-1β. The acute response in cardiac microenvironment was followed by a mid-term reduction in systemic inflammatory markers, particularly high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Notably, interleukin-10 showed good performance to identify patients achieving LVEF improvement on follow-up in our cohort. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CTO-PCI might attenuate cardiac hypoxic and inflammatory stress. These exploratory findings warrant confirmation in larger, controlled studies.

Background: Frailty is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation and portends worse outcomes. Whether the benefit of posttranscatheter aortic valve implantation dapagliflozin differs by frailty is uncertain. Methods: In this post hoc analysis, we investigated the efficacy of dapagliflozin according to frailty status in the DapaTAVI (Dapagliflozin in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) trial. Frailty was assessed through the Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of Weight scale (robust=0, prefrail=1–2, frail=3–5). The primary outcome was the composite of all‐cause death or worsening heart failure at 1 year. Results: Among 1222 patients with baseline frailty assessment, 47.2% were frail, 40.3% prefrail, and 12.4% robust. Over 12 months, 215 patients (17.6%) experienced the primary end point. Patients who were prefrail and frail had higher risk than robust patients (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 1.88 [95% CI, 1.05–3.38] and 2.29 [1.29–4.07], respectively; P =0.004). Dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of the primary end point in patients who were frail (HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.36–0.77]) but not in those who were prefrail (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.66–1.55]) or robust patients (HR, 1.26 [95% CI, 0.42–3.75]); P for interaction=0.021. There was no evidence that frailty modified the safety profile of dapagliflozin. Conclusions: Frailty was common and independently associated with worse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Dapagliflozin appeared to confer greater relative benefit in patients with frailty.