Editorial on the "Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation (COURAGE) trial," which studied optimal medical treatment with or without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable coronary disease.
Evaluation of Cypher Sirolimus Eluting Stent in Patients Undergoing Elective Revascularization of Nonacute Total Coronary Occlusions (TCO). Cordis Corp. Columbia Presbyterian, NYC. 2006-2011. (Not currently recruiting)
Major limitation of percutaneous therapy (PCI) for the treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) is the inability to cross with a wire. Recanalization with Intraluminal Wire, combines guidance of wire tip and radiofrequency ablation.
Every 3rd coronary angiography patient presents 1+ total arterial occlusion. Guidewire failure often precludes subsequent repair of the lesion in the cardiac cath lab; many of these patients are ultimately managed surgically or medically.