Advanced CT Imaging for the Assessment of Calcific Coronary Artery Disease and PCI Planning
Atomu Tajima, Frédéric Bouisset, Hirofumi Ohashi, Koshiro Sakai, Takuya Mizukami, Maurizio Lodi Rizzini, Diego Gallo, Claudio Chiastra, Umberto Morbiducci, Ziad A. Ali, James Spratt, Hirohiko Ando, Tetsuya Amano, Pieter Kitslaar, Adriaan Wilgenhof, Jeroen Sonck, Bernard De Bruyne, Carlos Collet
Abstract
Vascular calcification is a hallmark of atherosclerosis and adds considerable challenges for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This review underscores the critical role of coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography in assessing and quantifying vascular calcification for optimal PCI planning. Severe calcification significantly impacts procedural outcomes, necessitating accurate preprocedural evaluation. We describe the potential of coronary CT for calcium assessment and how CT may enhance precision in device selection and procedural strategy. These advancements, along with the ongoing Precise Procedural and PCI Plan study, represent a transformative shift toward personalized PCI interventions, ultimately improving patient outcomes in the challenging landscape of calcified coronary lesions.