Stents are tiny tubes that can be inserted into narrowed arteries to restore blood flow. But as heart disease progresses, bone-like calcium deposits can form, causing rigidity in the artery and increasing the risk of complications during a stenting procedure.

 

A groundbreaking, minimally invasive treatment for calcified coronary artery disease called Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) was recently approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. Dr. Baucum explains more in today’s episode of “Heart to Heart.”