CHIP Programme
CHIP Programme: Heart Blockage
Complex High-risk Indicated Procedure, often abbreviated as CHIP, is the term used to describe specialized complex PCI procedures for individuals at risk of major complications, with severe and complex coronary artery disease (CAD) and often compromised heart function.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, leading to heart blockage and reduced blood flow to the heart. The heart blockage can be treated with an angioplasty procedure, a percutaneous procedure which uses special devices to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
CVSKL’s CHIP Program performs these complex angioplasty procedures and is run by a team of experienced, highly skilled interventional cardiologists. The program is facilitated with the latest and most advanced technologies and supported by our dedicated multi-disciplinary team.
Which types of heart blockage require CHIP intervention?
Complex Coronary Artery Disease: These include the total coronary artery occlusions, also known as chronic total occlusions (CTO), severely calcified heart blockage, bifurcation lesion, left main coronary artery disease, bypass graft interventions and multi-vessel heart disease procedures.
Poor Heart Function: A patient with poor heart function is at risk of cardiac arrest during the complex angioplasty procedure. These patients may require a mechanical circulatory support device to make the procedure safer and successful.
What conditions put a patient at high risk for PCI procedures?
- Advanced age
- Advanced kidney disease
- Advanced lung disease
- Patients with high bleeding risk
- Patients with previous chest surgeries (for heart or lung conditions)
Why is the CHIP program important?
For patients with severe or complex coronary artery disease, their treatment options may be limited. While open-heart surgery may be the best recommendation for them, there are instances where they may be deemed unfit to undergo such a procedure. Hence, many are left with no further treatment plans apart from medical treatment alone which is not optimal.
CHIP Program when performed safely and successfully may:
- Save Lives: CHIP intervention offers treatment for heart blockage that would not otherwise be possible. In many, this improves patients’ survival.
- Quality of Life: CHIP intervention can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life by alleviating symptoms, for example, chest pain and shortness of breath. Many can experience a return to a normal/near-normal daily activity level in a shorter period of time.
Conclusion
Every coronary artery disease patient is unique and the treatment plan is individualized. Some patients may require complex angioplasty procedures utilizing special techniques and devices to facilitate their successful treatment.
If you are a CHIP patient and need further opinions about your disease and treatment options, CVSKL is happy to assist. You may consult our team of heart specialists for assessment and individualized recommendations for the safest and best possible outcome.