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Specialty Care for Coronary Artery Chronic Total Occlusion 

Coronary artery disease is triggered by atherosclerosis which causes the coronary arteries to become smaller or blocked. Atherosclerosis is caused by fatty deposits and plaque accumulating on the inner walls of the arteries; this limits blood flow to the heart. Improper blood flow deprives the heart of the vital nutrients and oxygen it needs to work properly. Angina and chest pain are the most common symptoms of coronary artery disease.

Visit the Heart & Vascular Institute at UPMC and meet with a cardiologist for expert diagnosis and treatment of coronary occlusion in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas.

A heart attack may occur if one or more of the coronary arteries are completely blocked, which will damage the heart muscle. The heart muscle may generate small blood vessels that help the coronary arteries to redirect the blood flow if the blockage occurs over time, causing angina.

Symptoms of Blocked Arteries

A coronary artery chronic total occlusion (CTO) occurs when the coronary artery is completely or almost completely blocked for 30 days or more. When atherosclerotic plaque builds up heavily within the artery it causes coronary CTO. Some potential symptoms of coronary occlusion are:

  • Angina or chest pain

  • Pain in the upper body and arms, potentially concentrated on the left side

  • Jaw pain

  • Indigestion or choking feeling

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness or light-headedness

  • Cold sweat

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

  • Unusual fatigue

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of coronary artery chronic total occlusion, a cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Institute at UPMC Susquehanna can provide the right answers.

Risk Factors for Coronary Occlusion

If you have any of the following conditions, you may be at an increased risk for coronary artery CTO:

  • Smoking or daily exposure to second-hand smoke, at home or at work

  • Past heart attack or known coronary artery disease

  • Family history of heart disease

  • High cholesterol

  • Postmenopausal status (women)

  • Taking birth control pills and smoking (women)

  • Being overweight

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)

  • A sedentary or inactive lifestyle

Treating Chronic Total Occlusion at UPMC 

At UPMC, our cardiology providers use a range of interventional cardiology procedures, including noninvasive therapies and surgical procedures, to treat coronary artery chronic total occlusion. Treatment is dependent on how severe your coronary artery disease and symptoms are. Medical procedures, medications and surgeries are all available at the Heart & Vascular Institute at UPMC.

In the past, the majority of patients with CTO who had symptoms as listed above needed coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery to clear the obstruction. Complete blockages of the coronary artery were once difficult to clear with interventional procedures.

With the introduction of advanced technology and innovative percutaneous techniques, interventional cardiologists are improving the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention, which makes it a plausible selection for patients who are suffering from symptoms of a blocked artery.

Cardiologists are now able to use special guide wires and catheters, and guide them across the blockages. Movement is much easier to control now with the new guide wire tip technology. The success rate of the combined percutaneous approach has increased by approximately 20 to 25% over the last few years, which now makes an 85% success rate. This is in comparison to the success rate of the percutaneous treatment of non-total blockages which is about 98%. Although the percutaneous approach has potential complications, the complication rate is comparable to that of standard angioplasty (about 1%).

Find a Doctor to schedule an appointment with a provider who treats coronary occlusion in Wellsboro and Williamsport, PA, and surrounding areas.

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute has experienced providers who are dedicated to helping patients of all ages find treatment for coronary artery chronic total occlusion in Williamsport, PA, and the surrounding areas.