Abstract

Technical and procedural advances in percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion

Author(s): T Muramatsu

Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are the most challenging lesions to treat using coronary angioplasty. The benefits of CTO coronary intervention (PCI) are symptom relief, and improved left ventricular function and long-term prognosis of the patient. In recent years, interventional cardiologists in Japan have made a great contribution to the progress of CTO PCI. Innovative techniques, including the retrograde approach, are hot topics in the CTO field. After initial reports of retrograde cases, important changes have occurred that resulted in faster and more successful procedures. Strategies for treating CTO are continually evolving and the author’s strategy also continues to change and progress over time. In this manuscript the author describes the latest advanced techniques and strategies based on personal experience, summarizing the most important literature related to CTO PCI.