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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Complex PCI for severely calcified, uncrossable RCA lesion

07 Apr 2025

A 72-year-old male patient with stable coronary artery disease was admitted for recurrence of angina (CCS II/III). Coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis in the mid-portion of RCA. Ad hoc PCI of RCA was unsuccessful due to an uncrossable lesion...

Michal Hawranek

Author

Michal Hawranek
Lukasz Pyka

Author

Lukasz Pyka
Complex PCI for severely calcified, uncrossable RCA lesion

Rotational atherectomy, lithotripsy, or laser for calcified coronary stenosis: the ROLLER COASTR-EPIC22 trial

24 Mar 2025

Due to a lack of randomised evidence, this randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of IVL and ELCA with RA in treating heavily calcified coronary lesions before drug-eluting stent implantation.

Reviewer

Ali Nazmi Calik

Reviewer

Aaysha Cader
Rotational atherectomy, lithotripsy, or laser for calcified coronary stenosis: the ROLLER COASTR-EPIC22 trial

How to deal with a difficult angle

20 Mar 2025

In this case, the authors offer their perspective on treating a highly calcified circumflex coronary artery while dealing with a very unfavourable angle in a patient with extensive and known coronary disease.

María Beltrán

Author

María Beltrán
Frank Sliwinski Herrera

Author

Frank Sliwinski Herrera
Daniele Gemma

Author

Daniele Gemma
Jorge Palazuelos

Author

Jorge Palazuelos
How to deal with a difficult angle

Impact of intravascular imaging guidance on percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions: The ECLIPSE trial

29 Mar 2025

Aaysha Cader provides her take on the ECLIPSE trial presented by Gregg W. Stone at ACC.25 in Chicago.

Author

Aaysha Cader
Impact of intravascular imaging guidance on percutaneous coronary intervention of severely calcified lesions: The ECLIPSE trial

Treating an “uncrossable” lesion

20 Feb 2025

A 76-year-old man with multiple cardiovascular risk factors presents with unstable angina, despite optimal medical therapy. Facing a complex, tight, and calcified lesion, the decision between PCI and CABG is critical. Join us as we discuss his diagnosis, risk assessment, and approach to treatment, and see...

Ruxandra Sava

Author

Ruxandra Sava
Pietro L. Laforgia

Author

Pietro L. Laforgia
Treating an “uncrossable” lesion

Undilatable calcified lesion - LIVE case

19 Dec 2024 – From GulfPCR-GIM 2024

A 52-year-old male presenting with angina (CCS II) and normal LV function. Angiography revealed a long, severely calcified lesion in the proximal and mid-LAD, which was undilatable during a previous PCI.

The lesion was prepared using Rotablator (1.5 Burr), cutting balloon, Shockwave, and NC balloon, guided by...

Calcified lesions - LIVE case

“Big and heavy” – TAVI in a severely calcified aortic stenosis with large annulus

22 Nov 2024

An 89-year-old male presented with worsening HF symptoms and a history of permanent AF and chronic renal failure. TTE confirmed severe AS, while coronary angiography revealed single vessel disease. He was referred to a heart valve center for further evaluation, where multislice computed tomography showed a...

Niklas Schofer

Author

Niklas Schofer
“Big and heavy” – TAVI in a severely calcified aortic stenosis with large annulus

A large-scale, randomized trial of orbital atherectomy vs. conventional balloon angioplasty in severely calcified coronary arteries prior to DES implantation (ECLIPSE)

30 Oct 2024

Nicola Ryan provides her take on the ECLIPSE trial presented by Ajay J. Kirtane at TCT 2024 in Washington.

Nicola Ryan

Author

Nicola Ryan
A large-scale, randomized trial of orbital atherectomy vs. conventional balloon angioplasty in severely calcified coronary arteries prior to DES implantation (ECLIPSE)

Less is sometimes more

09 Jan 2025

This case demonstrates the strategy and toolbox for treating a patient with chronic kidney disease and heavily calcified multivessel disease.

Judit Andréka

Author

Judit Andréka

Author

Sascha Paetzold
Dr. Gabor G. Toth

Author

Gabor G. Toth
Less is sometimes more

PCR @ TCT 2024 - Get the international perspective!

11 Oct 2024

Thanks to the contribution of a team of interventional cardiologists from around the globe, get the international perspective on Late-breaking Clinical Trials and Science released at TCT 2024 - check out the list below.

PCRonline @ TCT 2024 - get the international perspective!

Complex calcified left main bifurcation - LIVE case

05 Oct 2024 – From AICT-AsiaPCR 2024

An 82-year-old woman with diabetes, hypertension, a history of Micra and RCA PCI 2 years later, was admitted for NSTEMI. The coronary angiography showed a very calcified distal left main stenosis, a significant and calcified ostial LAD stenosis (medina: 1 1 0), confirmed by IVUS. She...

Complex calcified left main bifurcation  - LIVE case

Cracking new horizons across all calcium morphologies

04 Oct 2024 – From AICT-AsiaPCR 2024

This session explores the challenges of treating calcified lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Learn how calcium can impede stent deliverability and expansion, potentially leading to thrombosis and restenosis. Discover the innovative Shockwave IVL technology, which uses sonic pressure waves to fracture calcium without harming surrounding...

Cracking new horizons across all calcium morphologies

Optimising outcomes in treating multivessel disease - LIVE case

04 Oct 2024 – From AICT-AsiaPCR 2024

A 75-year-old male with hypertension, dyslipidemia and a lot of co-morbidities presented a positive echo stress test. The coronary angiography showed diffuse calcified disease on LAD, CX, OM1 and RCA. There is significant stenosis on ostial RCA, mid LAD, mid CX and OM1.
After physiology assessment...

Optimising outcomes in treating multivessel disease - LIVE case

Hostile iliac access managed with IVL - How far can we go?

10 Oct 2024

Analyze this case to find out how to successfully manage a patient with severe aortic stenosis and severely calcified peripheral vasculature referred to transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Simone Fezzi

Author

Simone Fezzi

Author

Flavio Luciano Ribichini
Hostile iliac access managed with IVL - How far can we go?

Fighting with calcium is always a struggle

12 Sep 2024

Managing calcified lesions is always a challenge, and while rotablation is the default technique, other methods must sometimes be considered, especially for eruptive calcified nodules, such as Shockwave, OPN balloon, or orbital atherectomy.

Petros Dardas

Author

Petros Dardas
Nikolaos Mezilis

Author

Nikolaos Mezilis
Fight with calcium is always a struggle

How to retrieve your Prostyle when it gets stuck

01 Jul 2024

In challenging anatomies, the Prostyle may get stuck due to calcification, leading to urgent vascular surgery and increasing the operative risk for the patients. This tutorial shows a step-by-step bailout procedure to mitigate risks and ensure patient safety.

Omar A. Oliva

Author

Omar Oliva
Dr. Antoine Sauguet

Author

Antoine Sauguet
How to retrieve your Prostyle when it gets stuck

Supplementary super-high pressure balloon-based plaque modification after intravascular lithotripsy

02 Jul 2024

Additional balloon-based plaque modification after ineffective intravascular lithotripsy of a heavily calcified ostial CX

Kambis Mashayekhi

Author

Kambis Mashayekhi
Fabiola Costa

Author

Fabiola Costa
Supplementary super-high pressure balloon-based plaque modification after intravascular lithotripsy

Calcified lesions: one big challenge; several good options

17 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024

This session delves into the management of calcified coronary lesions, presenting various techniques and tools to address this common challenge. It covers topics such as the use of drug-coated balloons, rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, and high-pressure non-compliant balloons. The session also includes a meta-analysis on the...

Calcified lesions: one big challenge; several good options

Complication occurring during PCI of calcified coronary lesions

17 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024

Join this in-depth session on the complications encountered during PCI of calcified coronary lesions, featuring real-world challenges like no flow with coronary dissection, stuck wires, and non-dilatable lesions. From the "Kokeshi phenomenon" to IVL-induced RCA dissection, this session highlights key lessons and red flags, emphasizing the...

Navigating Complications in Calcified Coronary PCI

Identification and treatment of (sub)clinical transcatheter valve thrombosis

16 May 2024 – From EuroPCR 2024

This session offers a practical guide to CT diagnosis of HALT/RLM, highlighting the importance of taking HALT/RLM seriously and providing insights into approaching HALT/HAM and the potential impact of pharmacotherapy. Gain knowledge on determining leaflet thickening and mobility through MSCT, receive updates on antithrombotic treatment strategies...

Identification and treatment of (sub)clinical transcatheter valve thrombosis