Factors associated with all-cause mortality in patients with coronary artery chronic total occlusions undergoing revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention or surgery) or medical treatment.

Aim    Chronic total occlusion of a coronary artery (CTO) is a predictor of early and late cardiovascular mortality and poor cardiovascular outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of all-cause mortality in CTO patients that underwent invasive treatment.Material and methods    Patients between 2012 and 2018 with CTO in at least one vessel, as demonstrated by coronary angiography, were included retrospectively in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, an intervention group (percutaneous and surgical revascularization) and a medical group.Results    A total of 543 patients were studied, 152 females (28%) and 391 males (72%). The median follow-up period was 49 (26-72) mos. A total of 186 (34.2%) patients in the medical group and 357 (65.8%) patients in the invasive therapy group were followed. The 5-yr death rate was observed in 50 (26.9%) patients in the medical group and 53 (14.8%) patients in the intervention group, and it was found to be statistically higher in the medical group (p=0.001). In multivariable analysis, heart failure (odds ratio (OR): 1.92, 95% CI: 1.18-3.14; p=0.01), higher glucose levels (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1,02-1.08; p=0.04), lower albumin levels (OR: 0.49, 95% Cl: 0.32-0.72; p=0.001), SYNTAX score (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.05; p=0.001), and CTO (≥2 occluded artery) (OR: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.72; p=0.01) were independent factors for all-cause mortality.Conclusion    In comparison to the revascularized group, there was an increase in mortality among CTO patients treated medically. Heart failure, SYNTAX score, albumin, glucose, and CTO (≥2 occluded arteries) were independent risk factors for all-cause mortality.