Calcified Lesion Assessment and Intervention in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Overview of Angioplasty, Atherectomy, and Lithotripsy

Abstract

Calcific coronary artery disease intervention is associated with uniformly worse short-term procedural and long-term clinical results compared with treatment of non-calcified lesions. Multiple intravascular imaging tools currently exist to aid the identification and detailed characterization of intracoronary calcium, and guide appropriate follow-on management strategies. Several unique device therapies, to include angioplasty, atherectomy, and lithotripsy may be employed to enhance lesion preparation, stent implantation and optimization, and improve patient outcomes. Current low use of both imaging and ablative technologies in the US offers significant future opportunities for improving the comprehensive evaluation and management of these complex lesion subsets and patients.