International Workshop on ‘Chronic Total Occlusion’ Starts at Max Hospital

By 1 2 1 News Reporter
Mohali 29th April:-- The 2-day international workshop on treatment
options for CTO (Chronic Total Occlusion – 100% blocked arteries)
started at Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Mohali today. The
workshop was being conducted by Cardiology Department of MSSH in
conjunction with Dr Yasushi Asakura, Co-Director of Cardiovascular
Medicine Toyohashi Heart Center, Aichi in Japan.
Speaking during occasion, Dr Asakura said that now 100% blocked
arteries could be opened with angioplasty with bypass surgery was not
required so far. Japanese have developed highly specialised wires,
balloons and catheters that were specifically used for treating these
blocks. Since the Japanese believed that their soul would depart if
their chest was opened during surgery thus forcing them to avoid
bypass surgeries. That's why the technique has highly developed in
Japan, quipped Dr Asakura in lighter veins.
Dr Sudheer Saxena, Principal Consultant & Coordinator, Department of
Cardiology, MSSH said that 1/3 of the patients with blocks in their
coronary arteries have at least one artery that was completely
blocked. These 100% blocks would remain one of the main reasons for
referring a patient to undergo a bypass surgery. Performing an
angioplasty in these arteries required a high level of skill and
specialized hardware. Unlike the routine angioplasty, these blocks
were made up of hardened tissues that were difficult to cross using
routine guide wires and balloon catheters. He said, Retrograde
technique of opening of CTO has several benefits to the patient. The
most important was that the patient with one artery total blockage
would not require coronary artery bypass surgery. There would be less
medication required and the heart would function better and improve
the quality of life. This was a complex angioplasty method that was
being done at only a few centres in North India. This minimally
invasive technique which has to be performed by team of skilled
interventional cardiologists promised to offer the best possible
outcomes for patients with CTO. Also the impact of drug eluting stents
on restenosis has improved long-term outcomes after successful
re-canalisation in CTO. Successful revascularisation was associated
with improved long-term survival, reduced symptoms, improved left
ventricular function and reduced need for coronary bypass surgery.