Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CTO PCI)

Why choose Ochsner for your chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention (CTO PCI)?

Ochsner offers specialized, minimally invasive treatment for completely blocked heart arteries in New Orleans and Lafayette, Louisiana. The chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention, or CTO PCI, program is the only dedicated program of its kind in the Gulf South.

A chronic total occlusion, or CTO, occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked. While these blockages have traditionally been treated with bypass surgery or medication, CTO PCI offers another treatment option for some patients.

The advanced procedure requires specialized training and expertise. Only a small number of interventional cardiologists in the U.S. are trained to perform the full range of CTO PCI procedures.

In a chronic total occlusion (CTO), a coronary artery is completely blocked, restricting blood flow to the heart. CTOs are blockages that have been present for more than three months. The condition is caused by arteriosclerosis, a buildup of plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol) inside an artery.

Signs or symptoms of CTO may include:

Pain or pressure in your chest
Shortness of breath
Fatigue (tiredness)

Ochsner has the latest, most sophisticated CTO diagnostic equipment available. Tests may include:

A coronary angiogram
A nuclear stress test
A cardiac MRI

Ochsner is home to the only cardiac MRI in the region.

With PCI, a small mesh tube called a stent is placed in the blocked artery to restore blood flow. This procedure is done in one of our state-of-the-art cath labs, while you are awake, under moderate sedation. The procedure can take between two and four hours, depending on the complexity of your blockage. In most cases, our patients spend the night in the hospital and go home the next day. After treatment, you can expect an improved quality of life. Specific benefits include:

Reduced chest pain and shortness of breath
Increased energy
Decreased feelings of depression
Increased ability to exercise

At Ochsner, the CTO PCI program provides specialized care for patients with complex coronary artery blockages. The experienced team uses advanced techniques to treat chronic total occlusions, including complex cases, and remains current on the latest approaches through clinical research and continuing education.

Patient education is an important part of that care. The CTO PCI team takes time to explain each patient’s condition, treatment options, benefits and risks. The goal is to make sure patients understand their options and feel comfortable making decisions about their care.

If you’ve been told you have an artery that cannot be opened–that there’s nothing else that can be done for you–we suggest you call our clinical nurse coordinator to schedule an appointment for a second opinion. If our team determines that a stent procedure isn’t right for you, Ochsner is also home to renowned LVAD and Heart Transplant programs. To make an appointment, call 504-842-4309.

At Ochsner, referring physicians are considered part of the team. The Ochsner team invites you to come watch the procedure and discover how CTO PCI at Ochsner can be a safe, effective option for your patient. To refer a patient, please call our Clinical Nurse Coordinator at 504-842-4309.

Fax: 504-838-8853

Mail/Fed-Ex:

CTO PCI Program
Ochsner Medical Center
1514 Jefferson Highway
3^rd Floor Clinic Tower
New Orleans, LA 70121