The utilization of intravascular lithotripsy to facilitate transcarotid artery revascularization

Carotid artery disease and stroke account for the second cause of mortality in worldwide. Recently, transcarotid artery stenting (TCAR) has emerged as a treatment modality that carries a very low stroke rate. However, there are limitations to TCAR, such as heavily calcified plaques that might preclude optimal stent expansion. We describe a successful transcarotid artery stenting with flow reversal performed in an independent and active nonagenarian with focal, circumferentially calcified carotid artery plaque, for which intravascular lithotripsy was utilized.