Objectives Optical coherence tomography chronic total occlusion catheter, the Ocelot (Avinger Inc., Redwood City, CA), has been utilized to cross Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions. This study evaluated the preoperative computerized tomography angiography of chronic total occlusions in the superficial femoral artery to predict clinical success. Methods We reviewed all patients who underwent lower extremity procedures with the Ocelot catheter from June 2014 to August 2016. Patients who had a preoperative computerized tomography angiography were evaluated. Final outcomes, plaque morphology, lesion length, calcium surface area, lesion location, and patient characteristics were analyzed. Results A total of 107 patients underwent lower extremity interventions with the Ocelot catheter. Seventy patients had a preoperative computerized tomography angiography scan prior to lower extremity intervention and 77% (54) had Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions that were crossed. Mean age was 62.8 years and 68.6% were male. Mean chronic total occlusion length was 182.7 mm (170.8 mm crossed vs. 222.6 mm uncrossed, p = 0.03). Calcium distribution differed significantly ( p<.01): circumferential (14.8 vs. 12.5%); eccentric (85 vs. 62.5%); and complete calcium occlusion (0 vs. 25%) for lesions that were crossed and uncrossed, respectively. Significant differences ( p<.0001) were found when calcium occlusion was less than 50% (87 vs. 31%), 51-75% (9.3 vs. 31.2%), and 76-100% (3.7 vs. 37.5%). Total calcium length in crossed lesion was 51.6 mm, and 92.8 mm in uncrossed lesions ( p = 0.10). No significant differences were noted for patient gender, occlusion location (proximal, middle, and distal superficial femoral artery), and kidney function. Conclusion The Ocelot catheter is an effective method to cross long Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D lesions. Superficial femoral artery lesions longer than 17 cm and focal plaque morphology, specifically a total cross-sectional area of calcium and a calcium surface area greater than 50% were most predictive of failure to cross Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D superficial femoral artery lesions. Computerized tomography angiography is an effective tool to predict success for crossing chronic total occlusions using optical coherence tomography technology and a critical consideration for patient selection.
Keywords: Optical coherence tomography catheter; Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus D; superficial femoral artery.