Treatment of the chronic total occlusion: A call to action for the interventional community. Issue 5 (22nd November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carlino, Mauro; Magri, Caroline J.; Uretsky, Barry F.; Brilakis, Emmanouil S.; Walsh, Simon; Spratt, James C.; Hanratty, Colm; Grantham, J. Aaron; Rinfret, Stéphane; Thompson, Craig A.; Lombardi, William L.; Galassi, Alfredo R.; Sianos, George; Latib, Azeem; Garbo, Roberto; Karmpaliotis, Dimitri; Kandzari, David E.; Colombo, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions. Volume 85:Issue 5(2015:Apr. 01)
• Page Start: 771
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 2014-11-22
• Subjects: chronic total occlusions -- percutaneous coronary intervention -- coronary artery bypass grafting -- myocardial infarction -- coronary artery disease; Heart -- Diseases -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Cardiac catheterization -- Periodicals; 616.1207572
• DOI: 10.1002/ccd.25736
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1522-1946

Abstract

Abstract : There is substantial evidence that recanalization of a chronic total occlusion is beneficial; nonetheless, it is generally underutilized in clinical practice. We consider the Aesop's fable of the "Fox and the Grapes" as analogous to the current situation in interventional cardiology. The technical challenges in achieving CTO recanalization has led interventionalists, clinical cardiologists, and sometimes even patients to believe that CTO recanalization is not effective, and, therefore, not needed. This perspective reviews available data regarding efficacy and safety of CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the current drug‐eluting stent era, discusses areas where more studies are required, and encourages the interventional community to utilize CTO PCI where appropriate based on current evidence. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.