Therapeutic ultrasound for chronic total coronary artery occlusions

This article focuses on the use of catheter-delivered ultrasound as a device for treatment of coronary arterial total occlusion (CTO). The standard treatment of CTO is reviewed and serves as the basis for the need for new treatment options, such as catheter-delivered ultrasound (SONICROSS). The results of FDA-approved Phase I and Phase II clinical trials using SONICROSS for refractory CTO are described. The Phase II trials indicate that the SONICROSS-facilitated guidewire passage in 71% of CTOs are otherwise refractory to guidewire passage. However, at present, the SONICROSS catheter system is limited in its ability to be delivered reliably to the CTO because of catheter size and trackability.