Chronic total occlusions continue to represent one of the greatest challenges to interventional cardiologists. Successful revascularization has been strongly associated with improved left ventricular function, freedom from angina and future revascularization, and in several studies increased survival.

Through new guidewires, novel devices, appropriate patient selection, and improved operator technique, success rates for recanalization of complex chronic total occlusions are increasing. The novel retrograde approach to chronic total occlusions has been introduced as an alternative route for recanalization of otherwise difficult or impossible lesions.

With presentations from experts in the field, numerous thematically organized live coronary cases, and case review sessions, this program will summarize the techniques, tips, and tricks essential to the interventional cardiologist for determining when intervention of chronic total occlusions is warranted and for optimizing procedural success.

CME Accreditation and Designation

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 19.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Documentation of awarded credit is provided for registered attendees in exchange for completed activity evaluations. Certificates of attendance are provided to all registered attendees

Learning Objectives

After completion of this conference, participants should be able to:

• Identify the pathobiologic and clinical considerations which are associated with successful recanalization of chronic total occlusions
• Explain how advances in operator technique, guidewire technology, and new devices have improved success rates for chronic total occlusions
• Describe advanced guidewire and other adjunctive device techniques such as the retrograde technique and drug-eluting stents for CTOs
• Integrate the latest recommendations for how to use new guidewires and devices to optimize procedural success while minimizing complications

Target Audience

This program is designed for interventional cardiologists, endovascular specialists, clinical cardiologists, catheterization laboratory nurses, cardiovascular technologists, and other health care professionals with a special interest in the field of chronic total occlusions.

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address content, presentation, possible bias, and future educational needs.

Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored educational programs. Commercial support from industry does not influence educational content, faculty selection, and/or faculty presentations, and, therefore, does not compromise the scientific integrity of the educational activity.

Discussion of off-label product usage and/or off-label product use during live cases is made at the sole discretion of the faculty. Off-label product discussion and/or off-label product use is not endorsed by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation or the conference directors for this activity.

Faculty participating in continuing medical education activities sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation are required to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the content of their presentation(s). Faculty not complying with this policy are not permitted to participate in this activity.

Program Sponsorship

This educational activity is sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

Program Support

This program is partially supported through educational grants from commercial supporters.