Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Planned Rotational Atherectomy for Grade Coronary Calcified Stenose Versus Cutting

Haijia Yu1, Liujie Li1, Jugang Chen1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.

Insights

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided planned rotational atherectomy (RA) shows higher success and better stent expansion for moderate to severe coronary calcified lesions (CCL) compared to cutting balloons (CB). This approach offers a valuable pretreatment option for complex coronary artery disease.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Planned rotational atherectomy (RA) is established for severe coronary calcified lesions (CCL).
  • Bailout RA is recommended for moderate to severe CCL, but planned approaches require further evaluation.
  • Cutting balloons (CB) are an alternative for moderate to severe CCL.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided planned rotational atherectomy (RA) versus cutting balloons (CB).
  • To assess outcomes in patients with moderate to severe coronary calcified lesions (CCL).
  • To determine if planned RA offers superior strategy success and stent expansion.

Main Methods:

  • Randomized trial of 80 patients with grade III CCL, assigned to either planned RA or CB.
  • Primary endpoint: strategy success. Coprimary endpoint: stent expansion.
  • Secondary endpoints: procedural costs, duration, contrast volume, stent thrombosis, and 30-day MACE.

Main Results:

  • Planned RA group demonstrated significantly higher strategy success (95% vs. 80%, P=0.043).
  • Superior stent expansion indices (expansion rate, minimal stent area, asymmetry) were observed in the RA group (P<0.05).
  • RA group had higher X-ray dose, contrast volume, and procedural expense, but no difference in procedural duration or 30-day MACE.

Conclusions:

  • IVUS-guided planned RA for grade III CCL achieves higher strategy success and better stent expansion than CB.
  • The RA strategy is associated with rare procedural complications and low 30-day MACE.
  • Planned RA provides valuable insight as a pretreatment option for moderate to severe CCL.