Lim Wei Juan

In the ever-evolving field of interventional cardiology, few names command the global respect that Dr Koshi Matsuo does. Known for his mastery in chronic total occlusion (CTO) interventions, Dr Matsuo brought his legendary precision and teaching philosophy to our recent CTO workshop — a hands-on, high-impact learning experience that left everyone inspired and elevated.

A Rare Opportunity to Learn from a Japanese Maestro

Hailing from Japan, a country renowned for its meticulous and innovative approach to CTO PCI, Dr Koshi Matsuo is more than just an expert — he’s a sensei, a teacher who imparts not just skills but wisdom. His calm demeanor, structured techniques, and deep understanding of complex anatomy were on full display throughout the workshop.

3 participants from UKM, Dr Kogulakrishnan from Columbia Asia Klang and Dr Dhani from Hospital Kuantan were treated to a blend of theory, live case demonstrations, and case-based discussions. Dr Matsuo’s step-by-step explanations made even the most daunting lesions approachable.

Key Highlights from the Workshop

• Live CTO PCI Demonstrations: Dr Matsuo performed live cases showcasing both antegrade and retrograde approaches. His mastery of wire techniques, microcatheter handling, and dissection-reentry strategies provided practical insights that textbooks often miss.
• The Japanese Way: Emphasis was placed on wire escalation protocols, the importance of tactile feedback, and micro-movements — hallmarks of the Japanese technique that can dramatically improve procedural success and safety.

More Than Just Techniques: A Philosophy of Patience and Precision

What set this workshop apart wasn’t just the technical content — it was Dr Matsuo’s emphasis on the mindset behind a successful CTO intervention. He reminded everyone that CTO PCI is not a race, but a discipline of patience, planning, and persistent learning.

Managed to do 2 CTO cases with sensei, 1st case was an adhoc CTO RCA, successful crossed with Gaia 2nd, full DCB from ostial to distal RCA. 2nd case was CTO proximal LAD with bridging collaterals, crossed with parallel wiring technique using Sasuke dual lumen catheter, also DCB!

Final Thoughts

This workshop was a rare privilege and a reminder of the importance of lifelong learning in interventional cardiology. We thank Dr Koshi Matsuo for sharing his time, expertise, and passion with us.

Thank you Boston Scientific for bringing Dr Koshi Matsuo from Japan to IJN!