Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Post-Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure in Closed-chest Coronary Occlusion/Reperfusion Model in Göttingen Minipigs and Landrace Pigs
Published on: April 17, 2021
[Percutaneous treatment of chronic total coronary occlusion]
P Maréchal1, L Davin1, N Lhoest2
1Service de Cardiologie, CHU Liège, Belgique.
Insights
Percutaneous treatment for chronic total occlusion (CTO) is increasingly viable, improving quality of life and enabling complete revascularization. Further randomized studies are needed to confirm benefits on survival and heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Chronic total occlusion (CTO) was historically undertreated due to high complication risks.
- CTO presence often dictated referral to surgical revascularization or optimized medical therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the rationale for percutaneous revascularization of CTO.
- To review patient selection criteria based on clinical and angiographic data.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent technical advancements in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO.
- Analysis of clinical and angiographic factors for patient selection.
Main Results:
- Technical progress and specific tools have improved CTO percutaneous treatment feasibility.
- Benefits on quality of life and complete revascularization are well-demonstrated.
- Impact on survival and left ventricular function requires confirmation via prospective randomized trials.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous CTO revascularization is evolving, offering significant quality of life improvements.
- Careful patient selection is crucial for successful outcomes.
- Further evidence from randomized trials is needed to solidify its role in improving long-term survival and cardiac function.
Abstract:
Although frequent, chronic total occlusion (CTO) has long been neglected by interventional cardiologists, considering that the risk of complications was too high compared to the expected benefits. The presence of a CTO has therefore been an essential decision-making factor for referral of patients with multivessel disease to surgical coronary revascularization, or for the choice of the optimization of medical treatment in patients with an isolated CTO. The recent years technical progress of and the development of specific tools for percutaneous treatment of CTO have allowed to gradually change the vision within the cardiology community as the benefits in terms of quality of life and of complete revascularization have been clearly demonstrated. In contrast, the benefit on survival and improvement of left ventricular systolic function, although highlighted in meta-analyses and in some registries, has yet to be demonstrated by prospective randomized studies. The different reasons for considering percutaneous revascularization of CTO are discussed in this article. We will also review how to select patients based on clinical and angiographic data.
Related Concept Videos
Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
Total Voids in Concrete
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

