Intravascular ultrasound-guided shockwave lithotripsy of heavily calcified bilateral renal artery stenosis: a case report

Eur Heart J Case Rep. 2021 Jan 15;5(1):ytaa568. doi: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytaa568. eCollection 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Calcified lesions represent a hard obstacle to overcome in renal arteries, particularly when renal angioplasty represents the only feasible course of action in the setting of high-risk bilateral renal artery stenosis (RAS) with refractory systemic hypertension and recurrent flash pulmonary oedema.

Case summary: We herein report a case of symptomatic bilateral severely calcified RAS, treated successfully with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided coronary and peripheral intravascular shockwave lithotripsy systems and stenting.

Discussion: Intravascular shockwave lithotripsy is an attractive modality for the treatment of challenging, heavily calcified renal arteries that combines the calcium-disrupting capability of lithotripsy with the familiarity of balloon catheters to facilitate proper stent deployment.

Keywords: Angioplasty; Case report; Intravascular shockwave lithotripsy; Intravascular ultrasound; Pulmonary oedema; Refractory hypertension; Renal artery stenosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports