title: [Percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total occlusion: clinical perspectives in 2015].
abstract: Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) are considered as the last frontier of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Despite an incidence of 15-30%, CTOs are largely undertreated (< 10%) by percutaneous techniques, as the majority of patients are managed conservatively or surgically. Although data from randomized trials are lacking, current evidence suggests that successful CTO-PCI improves symptoms, quality of life and long-term survival. CTO-PCI represents the most technically challenging procedure in contemporary interventional cardiology. Recent interventional developments and increasing experience of dedicated operators have significantly improved procedural success rates up to 90%. This review aims to provide a contemporary overview on the current body of evidence regarding CTO-PCI, with an emphasis on the clinical benefits and patient selection criteria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Degrauwe
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zuffi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eeckhout
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Iglesias
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D054059:Coronary Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D062645:Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome