Heart artery blockage showdown: which approach wins?

NCT ID NCT03667196

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looks at two methods (antegrade and retrograde) used to open completely blocked heart arteries that have been blocked for a while. Researchers will track 4,000 patients to see which approach is safer and more successful, and why some patients need one method over the other. The goal is to help doctors make better decisions for future patients.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help doctors choose the best technique for each patient with a chronic total coronary occlusion, improving success rates and reducing complications.

What could go wrong

This is an observational study, not a randomized trial, so results may be influenced by patient selection. It does not test a new drug or device, so direct treatment breakthroughs are unlikely.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Asan Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Busan Veterans Hospital, Korea Veterans Health Service

    RECRUITING

    Pusan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Gwangmyeong, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Chungbuk National University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Cheongju-si, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Chungnam National University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Daejeon, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Sejong, South Korea

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Dong-A University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Pusan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Gangneung Asan Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Gangneung, South Korea

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Gangwon National University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Chuncheon, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Gosin University Gospel Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Pusan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Gwangju Veterans Hospital, Korea Veterans Health Service

    RECRUITING

    Gwangju, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Changwon, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Anyang, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Hanyang University Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Guri-si, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Inha University Hospital

    TERMINATED

    Incheon, South Korea

  • Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Pusan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Inje University Pusan Paik Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Pusan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Kangbuk Samsung Hospital

    TERMINATED

    Seoul, South Korea

  • Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Daegu, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Myongji Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Goyang-si, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Yangsan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Samsung Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Seoul national university Bundang hospital

    RECRUITING

    Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • SoonChunHyang University Hospital Bucheon

    RECRUITING

    Bucheon-si, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Catholic University of Korea, Eunpyeong

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon ST. MARY'S Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Incheon, South Korea

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Catholic University of Korea, ST. Vincent's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Daejeon, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Catholic University of Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Ulsan University Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Ulsan, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Veterans Hospital Service Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Seoul, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Yeungnam University Medical Center

    RECRUITING

    Daegu, South Korea

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • the Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary'S Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Daejeon, South Korea

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••