Calcified lesions

Find all the latest content on calcified lesions published on this website.

This section revolves around the complexity of calcified coronary lesions and their treatment, from specialised balloon technology to atherectomy devices and lithotripsy. Learn all about the value of invasive imaging and coronary physiology, with many clinical cases showing various treatment modalities and strategies.

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How to manage complex calcified coronary disease in severe LV failure?

30 Jun 2026

An 83-year-old woman with multiple cardiovascular risk factors presented with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and severe left ventricular dysfunction with very low ejection fraction, complicated by haemodynamic instability in the setting of complex heavily calcified coronary disease.

How should such a high-risk case be managed?

Petros Dardas

Author

Petros Dardas
Nikolaos Mezilis

Author

Nikolaos Mezilis
How to manage complex calcified coronary disease in severe LV failure

Intravascular lithotripsy in comparison to rotational atherectomy for calcified lesions: the ICARE OFDI randomised trial

01 Jun 2026

In patients with moderate-to-severe calcified coronary lesions, ICARE OFDI evaluates IVL versus rotational atherectomy as lesion preparation strategies, with OFDI-based assessment of stent results.

Emanuele Gallinoro

Reviewer

Emanuele Gallinoro
ICARE OFDI: IVL vs rotational atherectomy for calcified lesions

Modern approach to tackle rocky roads

02 Jun 2026

Complex PCI of a calcified vessel in a 72-year-old gentleman with NSTEACS and markedly reduced LV function.

This case highlights how to tackle a challenging access and a difficult coronary lesion in a patient with scarce hemodynamic reserve.

Author

Ivan Vosko

Author

Otar Kvavadze
Dr. Gabor G. Toth

Author

Gabor G Toth
 Modern approach to tackle rocky roads

Shockwave C2 Aero: Early experience in complex calcified coronary lesions

27 May 2026

Dr. Yousif Ahmad and Dr. Brett Wanamaker discuss how improved deliverability may influence calcium modification strategies in complex PCI.

In this case-based discussion, Dr. Yousif Ahmad and Dr. Brett Wanamaker share their early experience with Shockwave C2 Aero in complex calcified coronary anatomy. Through challenging real-world cases,...

Shockwave C2 Aero: Early experience in complex calcified coronary lesions

TAVI in extensive valve calcifications - LIVE case

22 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

An 88‑year‑old woman with a history of dual‑chamber PPM and prior radiotherapy for breast cancer presented with symptomatic aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular function.

A 27 mm Navitor Vision valve was implanted under local anesthesia using dual arterial access (femoral and right radial arteries).

LIVE Educational Case...

TAVI in extensive valve calcifications - LIVE case

Overcoming challenging anatomy in calcified lesion PCI

22 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

This session focuses on overcoming the challenges posed by complex anatomical variations in calcified lesion PCI. Experts present advanced techniques and hybrid solutions for difficult bifurcation angles, aorto-ostial lesions, and other complex scenarios, emphasizing both innovative and simplified approaches to achieve procedural success.

Euro4C strides forward with a new president

21 May 2026

Euro4C – the Contemporary Care of patients with Calcified Complex lesions initiative – aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients with advanced, diffuse and calcified atherosclerotic CAD.

Euro4C strides forward with a new president

Breaking the calcium challenge: the power of Hertz with LithiX intravascular lithotripsy

20 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

Calcified coronary lesions remain a major challenge in PCI, particularly when lesion rigidity limits device delivery and optimal stent expansion.

This EuroPCR 2026 session focuses on contemporary calcium modification strategies and the role of the Hertz contact intravascular lithotripsy (HC-IVL) system in simplifying treatment of complex calcified...

Breaking the calcium challenge: the power of Hertz with LithiX intravascular lithotripsy

High definition IVUS-guided treatment strategies in calcified stenoses

20 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

Severely calcified coronary stenoses remain one of the most challenging subsets in contemporary PCI, requiring precise lesion assessment and tailored treatment strategies.

This EuroPCR 2026 session focuses on how high-definition intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is changing the way these lesions are approached in daily practice.

HD-IVUS enables detailed detection...

High definition IVUS-guided treatment strategies in calcified stenoses

FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI of a long and calcified LAD lesion - LIVE case

19 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

A 71‑year‑old man with hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with CCS class II angina and three‑vessel coronary artery disease. Functional assessment included CT‑derived micro‑FFR, angiography‑based FFR, and stress myocardial scintigraphy. The only hemodynamically significant lesion was a long, calcified lesion of the LAD.

Lesion preparation was performed with...

FFR- and IVUS-guided PCI of a long and calcified LAD lesion - LIVE case

What is the future of intracoronary imaging for assessment of calcified lesions?

21 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

In this conversation, Angela McInerney and Ziad Ali explore the evolving role of imaging in calcified coronary artery disease, the growing evidence supporting intracoronary imaging, particularly OCT and IVUS, and how detailed plaque characterisation and scoring systems can improve procedural planning and outcomes. Looking ahead, they...

What is the future of imaging for assessment of calcified lesions?

How are the FRACTURE IDE trial results on laser-based intravascular lithotripsy going to impact the management of calcified lesions?

19 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

Evald Christiansen and Margaret McEntegart review the results of the FRACTURE IDE trial which evaluated a novel optical laser-based intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system for the treatment of severely calcified coronary lesions. The study demonstrated high rates of procedural success and safety, with low rates of clinically...

How is the FRACTURE trial on laser-based IVL going to impact the management of calcified lesions?

Calcium Skills Lab: EuroPCR 2026 highlights

19 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

As the management of heavily calcified coronary lesions becomes increasingly complex, the need for practical, hands-on education continues to grow. At EuroPCR 2026, a brand-new initiative aims to address this challenge: the Calcium Skills Lab.

In this discussion, Angela McInerney and Mohamed Abdel-Wahab present this innovative programme...

Calcium Skills Lab: EuroPCR 2026 highlights

Sharing the latest advances in calcium modification with intravascular lithotripsy

19 May 2026 – From EuroPCR 2026

Emanuele Barbato and Jan-Malte Sinning review the latest advances in calcium modification strategies, highlighting the growing role of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) alongside traditional techniques such as rotational and orbital atherectomy. They discuss how new-generation IVL devices are improving deliverability, efficiency, and ease of use, enabling the...

Sharing the latest advances in calcium modification with intravascular lithotripsy

Coronary calcification versus thrombus: a deceptive ambiguity revealed in the aftermath of embolisation

07 Apr 2026

Discriminating between coronary calcification and thrombus in acute settings remains a diagnostic challenge with significant implications for interventional decision-making.

Imran Hanif Hashmi

Author

Imran Hanif Hashmi
Minahil Tariq Sheikh

Author

Minahil Tariq Sheikh
Ahmad Usama Wali

Author

Ahmad Usama Wali
Coronary calcification versus thrombus: a deceptive ambiguity revealed in the aftermath of embolisation

Intravascular lithotripsy or mechanical debulking in complex calcified coronary arteries: multicenter, prospective ROLLING STONE study

19 Mar 2026

The ROLLING STONE registry compares intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) and atherectomy (rotational and orbital) for treating heavily calcified coronary arteries, assessing real-world safety and effectiveness in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Reviewer

Aaysha Cader
Intravascular lithotripsy or mechanical debulking in complex calcified coronary arteries: multicenter, prospective ROLLING STONE study

Contemporary approach in the treatment of calcified coronary artery disease

28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026

Adopt a contemporary approach to managing calcified coronary artery disease by leveraging high-definition IVUS for lesion assessment and morphology evaluation. Learn to tailor calcium modification strategies based on IVUS findings and combine available tools to optimize treatment outcomes according to patient and lesion profiles.

Contemporary approach in the treatment of calcified coronary artery disease

Mechanical circulatory support protected PCI in complex calcified patients

28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026

Explore the critical role of mechanical circulatory support with Impella in complex calcified patients undergoing PCI. This session delves into patient selection criteria, reviews the latest evidence, and discusses strategies to prevent and manage device-related complications, supported by case presentations focusing on imaging analysis, vascular access...

Mechanical circulatory support protected PCI in complex calcified patients

How to avoid and manage complications

28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026

Build a comprehensive complication-management toolbox tailored for PCI in heavily calcified vessels. This session covers prevention and management techniques for complications arising from severely calcified lesions, illustrated by practical cases and expert insights into risky lesions and challenging devices.

How to avoid and manage complications

Drug-eluting balloon in calcified lesions and complex lesions

28 Feb 2026 – From Euro4C Annual Meeting 2026

This session explores the application of drug-eluting balloons (DCB) in managing calcified and complex coronary lesions. Emphasis is placed on identifying appropriate lesions for a DCB-only strategy, the critical role of vessel preparation prior to drug delivery, and the long-term physiological assessment following treatment, supported by...

Drug-eluting balloon in calcified lesions and complex lesions