Caclified coronary artery narrowings are among the most challenging to treat.
Not all interventional cardiologists have the required skill set to treat these very complicated narrowings.
Firstly, calcified lesions are very hard (think calcium in bones). The usual technique to balloon arteries is often not effective or dangerous when used on its own in these hard blockages.
I have special expertise in the management of calcified coronary blockages using both rotablator (a high speed drill to drill out calcium) and shockwave lithotripsy (a special device to shatter calcium similar to what is used for kidney stones in the kidney). This allows the best long term results for stent outcomes.
Using a balloon only can be dangerous and can often result in very poor long term outcomes with stenting.
If your coronary calcium score is more than 500, make sure the doctor performing your angiogram is trained in rotablator and shockwave before undertaking any procedure on your coronary arteries.
Please contact us if you have any concerns about your coronary artery disease.