Michael Magaly, MD, MS, FACC, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist with Willis-Knighton Cardiology, presented and was a panelist at the Cardiovascular Innovations Foundation annual meeting in Denver, Colorado. The conference brings together healthcare practitioners from around the world to learn the newest techniques and advanced coronary procedures.

Dr. Megaly specializes in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease for patients who have chronic total occlusion (CTO) or 100 percent blockage. His presentation was on the retrograde approach used to open totally blocked vessels. This technique is a complex procedure that requires expert care from highly experienced physicians. Dr. Megaly also presented on cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition most often caused by a severe heart attack in which the heart suddenly can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

As a panelist, Dr. Megaly participated in discussions with clinicians on a variety of challenging cases that required complex coronary interventions, and the occurrence and management of complications during procedures.

Dr. Megaly often presents as a faculty member and an expert panelist at prestigious interventional cardiology conferences. An author or co-author of more than 150 manuscripts and multiple chapters in different CTO intervention books, he says these meetings and conferences are important.

“The field of interventional cardiology is advancing every day and in my specific field – complex coronary interventions and chronic total occlusions – we strive daily to advance it,” he said. “This only happens with further research and for us to educate other physicians on how to perform these procedures at meetings and conferences.”

Dr. Megaly says conferences like the Cardiovascular Innovations Foundation meeting are a way to bring the latest technology and techniques from around the world to Willis-Knighton Health System and our community, and improve patient care.