Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy

Abstract Background Eccentric calcified lesions pose significant challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as they are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery perforation and suboptimal stent expansion. Moreover, long-term outcomes with drug-eluting stents (DESs) in these...

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Main Authors: Hiroshi Abe, Dai Ozaki, Takashi Tokano, Tohru Minamino
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:The Egyptian Heart Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00656-w
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author Hiroshi Abe
Dai Ozaki
Takashi Tokano
Tohru Minamino
author_facet Hiroshi Abe
Dai Ozaki
Takashi Tokano
Tohru Minamino
author_sort Hiroshi Abe
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Eccentric calcified lesions pose significant challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as they are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery perforation and suboptimal stent expansion. Moreover, long-term outcomes with drug-eluting stents (DESs) in these lesions are less favorable. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a treatment option for calcified lesions. However, its efficacy in managing eccentric calcified lesions remains uncertain. Case presentation A 70-year-old male presented with angina starting a week ago. He was diagnosed with unstable angina, and a coronary computed tomography showed severe stenosis with calcified plaque in the right coronary artery. The coronary angiography confirmed severe, calcified, eccentric stenosis in the right coronary artery. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed an eccentric lesion with calcified plaque, and the diameter of the vessels before and after the lesion was about 6.2 mm on average. Due to the high risk of vessel perforation associated with rotablator and orbital atherectomy systems, intravascular lithotripsy was performed using a 3 mm balloon. The crack formation was observed on IVUS. IVUS image shows both the guidewire and IVUS catheter being partially embedded within the concavity of the calcified nodule, and a 4 mm balloon was used for low-pressure expansion to expand the calcified crackles. This allowed the wire to sink into the calcified plaque and enabled balloon expansion within the calcified region. The risk of coronary perforation was deemed reduced, and a 5 mm × 15 mm DES was successfully placed without complication. Conclusions The additional balloon dilation following IVL could allow the wire to enter the eccentric calcified plaque, enhancing procedural safety and effectiveness. Depending on how cracks form within the plaque, this approach may facilitate safer and more effective treatment of eccentric calcified lesions.
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spelling doaj-art-b5aabbf0f6cf49d98a6758b6250c61db2025-08-20T02:05:38ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Heart Journal2090-911X2025-06-017711310.1186/s43044-025-00656-wSuccessful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsyHiroshi Abe0Dai Ozaki1Takashi Tokano2Tohru Minamino3Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of MedicineDepartment of Cardiology, Juntendo University Urayasu HospitalDepartment of Cardiology, Juntendo University Urayasu HospitalDepartment of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of MedicineAbstract Background Eccentric calcified lesions pose significant challenges in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), as they are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery perforation and suboptimal stent expansion. Moreover, long-term outcomes with drug-eluting stents (DESs) in these lesions are less favorable. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a treatment option for calcified lesions. However, its efficacy in managing eccentric calcified lesions remains uncertain. Case presentation A 70-year-old male presented with angina starting a week ago. He was diagnosed with unstable angina, and a coronary computed tomography showed severe stenosis with calcified plaque in the right coronary artery. The coronary angiography confirmed severe, calcified, eccentric stenosis in the right coronary artery. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) showed an eccentric lesion with calcified plaque, and the diameter of the vessels before and after the lesion was about 6.2 mm on average. Due to the high risk of vessel perforation associated with rotablator and orbital atherectomy systems, intravascular lithotripsy was performed using a 3 mm balloon. The crack formation was observed on IVUS. IVUS image shows both the guidewire and IVUS catheter being partially embedded within the concavity of the calcified nodule, and a 4 mm balloon was used for low-pressure expansion to expand the calcified crackles. This allowed the wire to sink into the calcified plaque and enabled balloon expansion within the calcified region. The risk of coronary perforation was deemed reduced, and a 5 mm × 15 mm DES was successfully placed without complication. Conclusions The additional balloon dilation following IVL could allow the wire to enter the eccentric calcified plaque, enhancing procedural safety and effectiveness. Depending on how cracks form within the plaque, this approach may facilitate safer and more effective treatment of eccentric calcified lesions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00656-wEccentric calcified plaqueIntravascular lithotripsyPCI
spellingShingle Hiroshi Abe
Dai Ozaki
Takashi Tokano
Tohru Minamino
Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
The Egyptian Heart Journal
Eccentric calcified plaque
Intravascular lithotripsy
PCI
title Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
title_full Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
title_fullStr Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
title_full_unstemmed Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
title_short Successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
title_sort successful wire placement into eccentric calcified plaque using intravascular lithotripsy
topic Eccentric calcified plaque
Intravascular lithotripsy
PCI
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43044-025-00656-w
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