A State-of-the-Art Review: The Percutaneous Treatment of Highly Calcified Lesions

Coronary artery calcification is prevalent in coronary heart disease with its progression being predictive of future adverse cardiac events. Its presence is considered to be a marker of interventional procedural complexity. Several adjunctive percutaneous coronary intervention tools, such as modifying balloons, atherectomy devices and intravascular lithotripsy, now exist to successfully treat calcified lesions. In this state-of-the-art review, a step-wise progression of strategies is described to modify coronary plaque, from well-recognised techniques to techniques that should only be considered when standard manoeuvres have proven unsuccessful. Technology has advanced greatly over the past few decades and we discuss how future technologies might shape percutaneous intervention.