Safety and Effectiveness of Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy for Treatment of Calcified Nodules

Left main coronary artery disease subtends a large area of potentially jeopardized myocardium. Percutaneous coronary intervention for severe left main coronary artery disease is a reasonable treatment option for select patients. Severe coronary artery calcium of the left main artery increases the complexity of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with increased risk of periprocedural complications and worse long-term clinical outcomes. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) utilizes sonic pressure waves to modify severe coronary artery calcium and has emerged as a safe and effective alternative to coronary atherectomy. However, left main lesions were excluded from regulatory approval clinical trials of IVL. Herein, we review all available data regarding the use of IVL treatment for severe left main coronary artery disease.