title: Retrograde approach for revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusion.
abstract: Retrograde approach via collateral channels in coronary angioplasty for chronic total occlusion (CTO) can improve recanalization success rate. Most interventionalists will meet few cases where the retrograde approach will provide unequaled advantages, but many are held back from taking retrograde approach by lack of proper equipment and expertise. In this article, we give detailed description of all techniques to traverse the collateral channels, and to cross the CTO by retrograde approach. We also illustrate the difficulties in collateral channel crossing with different examples providing a basic guide for case selection purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Disease Catheterization Laboratory, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Tomasello
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marzà
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giubilato
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Galassi
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D054059:Coronary Occlusion / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods*