Lim Wei Juan

The Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Workshop held at the National Heart Institute (IJN) brought together interventional cardiologists to learn advanced techniques in complex coronary interventions. The workshop, chaired by Datuk Dr Kumara, featured Dr Alan Chan, a renowned interventional cardiologist from Hong Kong, who demonstrated the latest strategies in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

About Dr Alan Chan

Dr Alan Chan obtained his medical degree from the University of Hong Kong in 2002. After his residency at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, HKSAR, he achieved MRCP (UK) in 2005 and completed his cardiology training in 2006. By 2009, he was awarded FHKCP and FHKAM, establishing himself as a specialist in both cardiology and internal medicine.

In 2012, Dr Alan Chan received the Hong Kong Heart Foundation Scholarship, allowing him to further refine his expertise in advanced interventional cardiology during a fellowship at Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA. Currently a full-time cardiologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, he is recognized for his special interest in complex PCI, primary angioplasty (primary PCI), and intracoronary imaging.

Live CTO Case Demonstrations

The workshop featured three highly educational CTO cases that highlighted advanced procedural strategies and the importance of imaging and support techniques in achieving success:

Case 1: CTO LAD

• Parallel wiring technique successfully used for crossing the lesion.
• IVUS-guided ostial LAD stenting ensured precise stent placement and optimal results.

Case 2: CTO RCA

• Demonstrated the importance of strong guide catheter support.
• The balloon-anchored technique was utilized to facilitate device delivery across the occlusion.

Case 3: Complex CTO Case Discussion

• Additional focus on decision-making strategies, case selection, and integrating intravascular imaging to improve outcomes in difficult CTO interventions.

Key Learning Points

• Parallel wiring and advanced crossing strategies remain essential in LAD CTO interventions.
• Guide support and anchoring techniques are critical for RCA CTO success.
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) plays a pivotal role in guiding stent optimization and reducing complications.
• Complex PCI requires a combination of technical skill, imaging expertise, and strategic case planning.

Conclusion

The CTO Workshop with Dr Alan Chan provided valuable insights into tackling complex coronary occlusions with precision and safety. By sharing his vast experience and demonstrating advanced techniques, Dr Alan Chan empowered participants to enhance their practice in the evolving field of interventional cardiology.

Workshops like these reaffirm IJN’s commitment to continuous education and innovation in cardiovascular medicine, ensuring that patients with the most challenging coronary disease can benefit from the latest advancements in PCI.