Why the study?
PCI in patients with calcified coronary artery disease remains challenging and is associated with poor clinical outcomes, necessitating guidance for specific anatomical and clinical scenarios.
This expert consensus provides practical procedural steps and strategies for managing specific anatomical and clinical scenarios in calcified coronary artery disease during PCI.
Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with calcified coronary artery disease which is present in approximately 20% of those undergoing invasive treatment, is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Despite increasing operator experience and the availability of new devices, the management of coronary calcification remains challenging. Although several general reviews on this topic have been published recently, this expert opinion focuses on specific anatomical and clinical scenarios to support interventional cardiologists in routine practice. Each scenario is accompanied by practical key procedural steps that highlight the usefulness of particular treatment strategies and techniques, as well as the role of intravascular imaging, based on current evidence.
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Kübler et al. (2026) conducted a review in Calcified coronary artery disease. Percutaneous treatment of coronary calcifications was evaluated. This expert opinion provides practical procedural steps and highlights the role of intravascular imaging for managing specific anatomical and clinical scenarios in calcified coronary artery disease.
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