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Revascularization for left anterior descending artery (LAD) chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions usually requires coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via sternotomy. Recent advances in CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) techniques, including a rapid escalation of the hybrid algorithm

Despite numerous groundbreaking advances in the field, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for more than 787,000 deaths per year. Already leading the world in per capita healthcare expenditure, U.S. medical costs related to cardiovascular disease are projected to triple by 2030, to over $800 billion annually. The medical community's traditional disproportionate focus on treating cardiovascular disease, relative to promoting cardiovascular health, is an important contributor to these expenses. To ensure continued reductions in the burden of cardiovascular disease, as well as the overall sustainability of the healthcare system, a paradigm shift that places more emphasis on cardiovascular health promotion throughout the life course is required. This review will discuss the current definitions of cardiovascular health, as well as strategies for promoting and impacting cardiovascular health at both the local and national level.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is commonly performed to treat ischemic heart disease, but long-term benefits are limited by failed patency of bypass grafts. Both statin medications and aspirin hold class I indications for all post-CABG patients and should be continued indefinitely unless contraindications exist. Unfortunately, there are limited data regarding long-term usage of these essential medications. We assessed the utilization rates of statins and aspirin among post-CABG patients referred for coronary angiography. Analysis of post-CABG patients presenting to Thomas Jefferson University for a cardiac catheterization procedure at least 3 years after surgery was performed. Inpatient and outpatient records were reviewed to assess prescribing patterns of these medications, as well as other pertinent clinical and laboratory data. The study population was 381 consecutive patients presenting at a mean of 11 ± 6 years from CABG. Mean age was 69 ± 11 years and 78% were men. A total 67% of patients were being prescribed a statin, whereas 75% were prescribed aspirin. Only 52% were prescribed both at the time of catheterization. Patients prescribed a statin had a significantly lower mean low-density lipoprotein (87 vs 106 [p

Revascularization for left anterior descending artery (LAD) chronic total occlusion (CTO) lesions remains a challenge. Currently, no studies exist in the literature comparing revascularization of LAD CTO lesions via PCI versus LIMA Robotic-Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass (RACAB). The Emory CTO

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is commonly performed to treat ischemic heart disease, but long term benefits are limited by patency of saphenous vein grafts. Both statin medications and aspirin hold class I indications for all post-CABG patients and should be continued indefinitely