The Role of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Chronic Total Occlusion-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (JACC Cardiovascular Interventions January 2026)
Description

Chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be technically complex.  Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is increasingly being used for planning CTO PCI. CCTA can help evaluate cap morphology, lesion length, calcification, and distal vessel quality. Use of CCTA for CTO PCI may be enhanced by integration with artificial intelligence and real-time imaging. In a randomized-controlled trial, pre-procedural CCTA increased the success of CTO PCI. In this review, we describe how CCTA can help diagnose and characterize CTO lesions, estimate the time needed for guidewire crossing time, predict and facilitate CTO PCI technical success, and provide real-time procedural guidance.

 

Editors
Editor-in-Chief
Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC 

CME Editor
Ragavendra R. Baliga, MD

Author
Sant Kumar, MD


Important Dates
Date of Release:
 January 12, 2026
Term of Approval/Date of CME/MOC Expiration: January 11, 2027

 

Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Access expires on Jan 11, 2027
Cost:
FREE
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 ABIM-MOC Point
1 ABP-MOC Point
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