Cardiology Conference-CVC 2026

CTO (Chronic Total Occlusion) Interventions represent an advanced subset of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) aimed at treating completely blocked coronary arteries that have persisted for more than three months. CTOs are common in patients with severe coronary artery disease and can lead to angina, reduced heart function, and decreased quality of life.

Diagnosis begins with coronary angiography, which identifies the location, length, and complexity of the occlusion. Advanced imaging techniques, including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and CT angiography, help guide the intervention and improve procedural success.

CTO PCI techniques involve specialized guidewires, microcatheters, and crossing strategies such as antegrade, retrograde, or hybrid approaches to navigate the occlusion and restore blood flow. Drug-eluting stents are typically deployed to maintain vessel patency and prevent restenosis. These procedures require a highly skilled interventional cardiology team and careful patient selection.

Benefits of CTO interventions include relief of angina, improved left ventricular function, enhanced exercise capacity, and potentially better long-term survival compared to medical therapy alone. Post-procedural care includes antiplatelet therapy, risk factor management, and regular follow-up to monitor stent patency and overall cardiovascular health.

Advances in device technology, imaging, and procedural techniques have made CTO interventions safer and more effective, expanding treatment options for patients with complex coronary lesions and transforming outcomes in high-risk coronary artery disease populations.