Answer :
While each one of the above factor appears very much important morphology of the lesion is the clear winner ( Which includes , the content of the lesion , hardness , micro channels , thickness of the proximal and distal caps, the length and tortuosity of the CTO ( which is invisible ) the collateral status will ultimately determine the success)
It is becoming increasingly clear cardiologist expertise is getting less and less important .
Finally , it must be told to our younger generation of cardiologists , crossing a CTO and deploying a stent is not synonymous with success .It should result in long term sustained distal flow and make a significant impact on the patients symptoms (If at all any !) and survival.
Dr.S.Venkatesan MD 