Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO)
Treatment
Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is a blockage in the coronary arteries that have typically been present for more than three months. The blockages are a result of a severe build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries and are a complication of coronary artery disease.
For patients with CTO, treatment options are available. Treatment options will be based on each individual case, and recommended by your physician.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – Highly skilled interventional cardiologists use advanced techniques to correct a CTO, using a catheter through the groin or wrist to place a stent in the blocked artery.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – Hoag surgeons are able to graft a vessel from a vein in the leg, or an artery from the chest or arm to bypass the blocked artery.
Advanced Technique and Technology
In some cases, treatment of chronic total occlusion may require additional technology or techniques to ensure patients remain safe. For example, Hoag has the ability to utilize a small heart pump that is inserted minimally invasively. A heart pump can provide temporary support to the heart by moving blood through the heart to the rest of the organs in the body.
Contact Us
If you have been told that your CTO cannot be treated, or would like more information about Hoag’s advanced offerings, please call 949-764-5871.