Korea's First Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) Procedure
On April 14, Samsung Medical Center successfully performed Korea’s first coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) procedure, an advanced modality for modifying heavily calcified coronary lesions, on a patient with high-grade stenosis and severe calcification that had proven refractory to conventional percutaneous coronary intervention techniques. The procedure was completed without any procedural complications. Coronary intravascular lithotripsy is a technique that utilizes a specialized balloon catheter to deliver localized pulsatile sonic pressure waves, effectively fracturing intimal and medial calcium within heavily calcified coronary lesions, thereby facilitating optimal stent expansion and luminal gain in severely narrowed coronary arteries.
Since receiving U.S. FDA approval in 2021, intravascular lithotripsy has been rapidly adopted across major developed countries, including those in North America and Europe, as a valuable tool in the treatment of complex calcified coronary artery disease. Compared to conventional treatments such as atherectomy or high-pressure balloon angioplasty, intravascular lithotripsy offers advantages including a lower risk of procedural complications and shorter procedure time.
The Cardiovascular Center at Samsung Medical Center performs approximately 1,400 percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) annually, providing comprehensive care for patients with coronary artery disease. Building on the success of this procedure, we aim to stay at the forefront of evolving treatment trends and actively engage in a range of research initiatives to advance the management of coronary artery disease.