Advanced
Intravascular Lithotripsy
Surgery in Hyderabad

What is Intravascular Lithotripsy?

Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) is an innovative treatment used to manage arteries that have become narrowed due to heavy calcium deposits. When calcium builds up within the artery wall, the vessel becomes rigid and difficult to expand, making conventional angioplasty and stenting more challenging.
During an IVL procedure, a specially designed balloon catheter is positioned at the site of the blockage. Once in place, it emits short bursts of sonic pressure waves that travel through the vessel and crack the hardened calcium embedded within the artery wall. This process helps restore the artery’s flexibility, allowing it to expand more effectively and improving the results of angioplasty or stent implantation.
The technology is inspired by the shockwave treatment long used for kidney stones but has been adapted specifically for cardiovascular procedures. Because the shockwaves primarily target calcium while minimising injury to surrounding soft tissue, IVL has become a valuable option for treating complex calcified coronary and peripheral artery disease.

Types of Intravascular Lithotripsy

Intravascular Lithotripsy is not a one-size-fits-all procedure. The treatment can be used in different parts of the vascular system depending on where calcium has accumulated and how severely blood flow is affected.
Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy
Coronary IVL is performed to treat calcium-rich plaques within the arteries of the heart. These hardened deposits can prevent balloons and stents from expanding properly during coronary interventions. By breaking up the calcium before stenting, IVL helps cardiologists achieve better procedural results and restore blood flow more effectively.
Peripheral Intravascular Lithotripsy
Peripheral IVL is used in arteries outside the heart, most commonly in the legs. Patients with peripheral arterial disease often develop calcified narrowing that restricts circulation and causes symptoms such as leg pain while walking. IVL can help prepare these vessels for angioplasty and improve overall treatment success.
Iliac Artery Lithotripsy
The iliac arteries carry blood from the abdomen to the lower limbs. When significant calcium develops in these vessels, it can make endovascular treatment challenging. IVL helps soften and modify the calcified segments, allowing the artery to expand more naturally during intervention.
Femoropopliteal Lithotripsy
This approach targets disease in the femoral and popliteal arteries, located in the thigh and behind the knee. These vessels are exposed to constant movement and bending, making effective vessel preparation particularly important. IVL helps improve vessel flexibility before further treatment is performed.
Below-the-Knee Lithotripsy
Patients with advanced peripheral artery disease or critical limb-threatening ischaemia may develop severe calcification in the smaller arteries below the knee. In selected cases, IVL can help improve blood flow to the foot and lower leg, supporting wound healing and reducing the risk of limb complications.
IVL as Part of a Combined Treatment Strategy
In clinical practice, IVL is often used alongside other catheter-based procedures. After the calcium has been fractured using shockwave technology, the artery may be treated with balloon angioplasty, drug-coated balloons, or stent implantation, depending on the patient’s condition and the characteristics of the lesion.

The choice of treatment depends on the location of the blockage, the amount of calcium present, the size of the vessel, and the patient’s overall cardiovascular health. A detailed assessment using angiography and intravascular imaging helps specialists determine the most effective treatment strategy for achieving durable results.