INDO-JAPANESE CTO CLUB (IJCTO) 9th LIVE SUMMIT ON CHRONIC TOTAL OCCLUSION

MUMBAI, 6th JUNE, 2023 (GPN): India’s biggest forum for in-depth knowledge about the latest Cardiovascular (CVD) surgery developments in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (CTO PCI), held its 9th Live Summit on 2nd, 3rd & 4th June 2023 in Mumbai which brought together 600 esteemed Cardiologists, Researchers, and Innovators from around the globe. The Indo-Japanese CTO Club (IJCTO) 3-day long Summit, the annual event held in Mumbai showcased ground-breaking advancements in cardiology and promising new directions in the field with 16 Live cases performed. The summit provided a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and advancements in the field of Interventional Cardiology.  With a focus on fostering innovation and collaboration, the event offered a comprehensive program encompassing a wide range of topics from cutting-edge treatments to emerging technologies.

On the concluding day of the summit, the organizing committee of IJCTO honoured Dr Masahisa Yamane from Japan with Lifetime Achievement Award for being a Pioneer of Chronic Total Occlusion Procedure and  Commando Sunil Kumar Jodha – the brave heart of the Indian Army for his Heroic Courage against Terrorist Attack on 26/11 at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and saving many lives. The evening was graced by the presence of a well-known Miracle man Vikas Runwal. 

Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) is a procedure pioneered by Japanese cardiologists. A Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) is a total blockage in one of the coronary arteries lasting three or more months. Coronary arteries are the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart. CTOs restrict blood flow to your heart, which can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart attack. Chronic total occlusion is a serious condition, but treatment can help. The Indo- Japanese CTO Club (IJCTO) took shape with the prime objective of offering greater learning opportunities with regard to CTO.

The IJCTO conference showcased the latest developments in diagnostic tools, imaging techniques, and genomic analysis, providing attendees with insights into how these technologies are reshaping Interventional Cardiology.

The summit provided a platform for multidisciplinary discussions, encouraging participants to share their experiences, challenges, and success stories. The exchange of ideas and expertise across borders and specialties ultimately serves to accelerate progress in Interventional Cardiology.

IJCTO – A Paperless Conference, paving the way for sustainable gatherings through the Go Green Initiative. Advancements in digital technologies have revolutionized the conference landscape, offering efficient and eco-friendly alternatives.

This year, the International Journal of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Therapy (IJCTO) witnessed its highest-ever attendance in the last nine years, underscoring the criticality of addressing Chronic Total Occlusions (CTOs). As India grapples with the unfortunate distinction of being the cardiac disease capital, CTOs have emerged as a significant challenge. The complexities involved in treating CTOs require specialized skill sets, while the associated cost of treatment remains a grave concern. This year over 600 cardiologists from India and around 12 International Cardiologists from Japan, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, The United Kingdom, and The United States attended this annual summit.

While speaking about the agenda of this year’s summit Dr A V Ganesh Kumar – Organising Secretary, Course Director of IJCTO’s 9th Live Summit & Head of the Cardiology Dept at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai said, “This is a platform from where we can teach and train younger cardiologists about advanced techniques linked to CTO PCI. This year’s live summit was organized to offer opportunities for greater learning in this field for all. With the advent of scientific innovations in the field of CTO PCI, we aim to ensure that cardiologists are well-equipped with user-friendly precision hardware that results in good clinical outcomes. We want younger cardiologists to benefit from such programs”.

Dr Prathap Kumar N – Course Director, said, “IJCTO is a collaborative effort by Indian and Japanese interventional cardiologists to collectively share their knowledge and experience regarding CTO PCI”.

Dr V Surya Prakash Rao –  Course Director, said, “IJCTO is a platform to gain in-depth knowledge of CTO PCI for young budding interventional cardiologists interested in the field. I believe that this collective effort will bring evolution and growth in the field and will help to treat complex cases with precision”.

Professor P K Goel – Course Director, said, “CTO interventions are quite challenging. It’s a niche field and requires a lot more research and development. IJCTO is a platform for the best of the best interventionists in the world — educate and train attendees from around the world on the most up-to-date angioplasty techniques. We strive to spread the knowledge and skills across the country so that more patients can benefit. It’s our constant endeavor to do the best for the patient in the safest possible way”.

In the current era of expanding Interventional cardiology, CTO remains one of the challenging areas where the expert’s experience and technical expertise play an important role in the final success of the procedure. Over the past decade, CTO PCI has remained the last frontier to be conquered by the Interventional Cardiologist.

To know more about IJCTO & 9th Live Summit visit www.ijcto.in