Chronic Total Occlusions. A Guide to Recanalization

Chronic total occlusions (CTO) are common, and found in approximately one third of patients with significant coronary artery disease who undergo angiography. Over the past 20 years, CTO lesions have represented the most difficult anatomy for treatment – with lower success rates and higher complication rates. Chronic Total Occlusions provides interventionalists insight into the world of CTOs with introductory chapters that describe the pathology and indications of CTOs along with a review of clinical trials. Imaging modalities including CT angiography, magnetic navigation wire, and IVUS guided recanalization of CTO are also introduced, together with information on new wires technology and devices for CTOs. With numerous illustrations of these devices, technologies, and strategies to improve the CTO success rate, this clinical guide, headed up by Ron Waksman, will prove to be the ideal companion for interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who are required to perform angioplasty and coronary stenting.