Coronary calcification is a common condition that affects many adults over the age of 40. It is caused by calcium build-up in the coronary arteries, which can lead to serious cardiovascular events such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Although there is no specific treatment for coronary artery calcification, there are several risk factors that can be modified to reduce the risk of developing more serious conditions. These include diet, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol avoidance, and weight loss.
In addition, techniques such as rotational, orbital or laser atherectomy and cutting balloons can be used during cardiac catheterization to help treat calcified coronary lesions. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a newer tool that is a more feasible and safer way to treat these complex injuries. The generator produces energy that travels through the connecting cable and catheter to the lithotripsy emitters located near the calcific lesion. The expansion and collapse of the bubble generates a series of sonic pressure waves of up to 50 atm that travel through the liquid-filled balloon and pass through the soft vascular tissue, selectively breaking any hardened calcified plaque within the vessel wall.
Peripheral IVL balloons are available in the U. S. UU from 3.5 mm with an increase of 0.5 mm to 7 mm in diameter, with the capacity to deliver a total of 180 pulses of pressure waves of 50 atm for the treatment of calcified PAD. This illustrates the ability of the coronary artery calcification score to help reclassify the risk of many patients and estimate future cardiovascular events.
Despite the availability of several devices for plaque modification, the success and results of PCI remain suboptimal for calcified coronary lesions compared to non-calcified coronary lesions. For this reason, it is important for individuals with coronary artery calcification to be aware of their risk factors and take steps to reduce them as much as possible.It is also important for individuals with coronary artery calcification to be aware of their symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience any chest pain or discomfort. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risk of developing more serious conditions such as atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease.
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