Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CTO PCI)

When it comes to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) treatment for chronic total occlusion (CTO), Beaumont interventional cardiologists are among the best.

Chronic total occlusion is defined as 100% blockage of a coronary artery for more than three months. About a quarter of people with coronary artery disease experience the condition, which can cause damage to heart muscle and chronic, debilitating, life-altering symptoms: shortness of breath, an inability to get around, general lethargy and a decrease in the quality of life. But, sometimes, bypass surgery isn’t the best option.

CTO PCI is the use of small wires fed into the vessels through a catheter to break through the blockage and open up the vessel. An alternative to heart bypass surgery, the procedure is done in a cardiac catheterization laboratory through small incisions in the leg or arm. Because there is no chest incision, recovery is much faster and easier. It also offers a potential alternative for some patients who have been told open heart bypass surgery is not an option due to other medical conditions or co-morbidities.

It is critically important to choose a health system with expert, experienced cardiologists who do the procedure regularly. Beaumont Health is home to the largest experienced team in the state of Michigan, with three outstanding physicians skilled in CTO PCI:

• Dr. George Nahhas, chief of Cardiology at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn
• Dr. Maher Rabah, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital
• Dr. Luay Sayed, director of the Interventional Vascular Lab at Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital

The extraordinary CTO PCI success rate for these physicians draws patients to Beaumont Health from across Michigan and the Midwest.

Beaumont CTO PCI experts prepare for the procedure by consulting the person who knows your heart best: your cardiologist. Prior to the procedure, your cardiologist’s knowledge provides insight into what will help you the most. After the procedure, your cardiologist will receive an update on your procedure and any insight that can be provided about your heart health as they see you in the future.