Validity of the J-CTO Score and the CL-Score for predicting successful CTO recanalization

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of total chronic coronary occlusion (CTO) still remains a major challenge in interventional cardiology. To predict the probability of a successful intervention different scoring systems are available. We analyzed in this study the validity of two scoring systems, the Japanese CTO score (J-CTO score) and the newly developed Clinical and Lesion-related score (CL Score). Methods: Between 2012 and 2015 we included 379 consecutive patients. They underwent PCI for at least one CTO. Antegrade and retrograde CTO techniques were applied. The retrograde approach was used only after failed antegrade intervention. Results: Patients undergoing CTO PCI were mainly men (84%). The overall procedural success rate was 84% (+/- 0.4). The mean J-CTO score was 2.9 (+/- 1.3) and the mean CL score was 4.3 (+/- 1.7). The CL score predicted more precisely the interventional results than the J-CTO score. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the previously presented CL score is superior to the J-CTO score in identifying CTO lesions with a likelihood for successful recanalization. Generally it appears to be a helpful tool for selecting patients and identifying the appropriate operator. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved