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Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Identifying Coronary Artery Calcification on Non-gated Computed Tomography Scans
Published on: August 28, 2018
"Scattergun" Right Coronary Artery: Heavy Calcifications in Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary
Rafał Wyderka1,2, Jakub Drozd3, Dawid Ilnicki1
1Department of Cardiology, Tadeusz Marciniak Lower Silesia Specialist Hospital-Emergency Medicine Center, Wroclaw, Poland.
Insights
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for complex coronary artery disease (CAD) can be challenging. This case study demonstrates a successful antegrade dissection and re-entry strategy for treating severe calcified chronic total occlusion (CTO) in the right coronary artery (RCA).
Area of Science:
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Coronary calcifications significantly complicate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), increasing procedural risks and reducing success rates.
- Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) present a specific challenge in PCI, particularly when associated with severe calcification and complex anatomy.
- Managing CTOs in patients with multiple comorbidities requires careful consideration of procedural strategies and potential complications.
Abstract:
Coronary calcifications reduce procedural success rates, increase the risk of complications, and worsen the outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities who was admitted for chronic total occlusion (CTO) PCI of the right coronary artery (RCA). Coronary angiography revealed double CTO with severe calcifications and high anatomical complexity. After unsuccessful true lumen-to-true lumen crossing, an antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) strategy was successfully employed. Post-procedure angiography revealed an unusual "scattergun" appearance of the proximal RCA, a parallel extra-plaque lumen with implanted stents and an occluded true lumen, separated by calcified plaque. Clinical and angiographic outcomes remained favorable at 6-month follow-up.
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