Combined Coronary Orbital Atherectomy and Intravascular Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Severely Calcified Coronary Stenoses: The First Case Series.

Objective: Severely calcified coronary stenoses remain a significant challenge during contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), often requiring advanced therapies to circumvent suboptimal lesion preparation and major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Recent reports suggest combined coronary atherectomy and intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) may achieve superior preparation of severely calcified coronary stenoses during PCI. We sought to evaluate the safety and utility of combined orbital atherectomy (OA) and IVL for the modification of coronary artery calcification (CAC) prior to drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation in PCI.

The Utility of Peripheral Intravascular Lithotripsy in Calcific Coronary Artery Disease: A Case Series.

Background: Coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is an emerging therapy for the modification of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Data on its use in several clinical and lesion subsets are limited due to their exclusion from preapproval trials.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients who were excluded from preapproval trials of coronary IVL and underwent CAC modification with the off-label use of a peripheral IVL system.

Catheter-based embolectomy prior to right ventricular mechanical circulatory support placement after heart transplantation.

Severe acute isolated right ventricular failure has limited dedicated percutaneous temporary mechanical circulatory support options, especially after orthotopic heart transplantation. The advent of the Impella RP device provides a newer option, though an absolute contraindication to device placement is thrombus within the right heart. We present a novel case where catheter-based embolectomy was used to evacuate right heart thrombus before Impella RP placement in a patient with severe acute right ventricular failure due to primary graft dysfunction after orthotopic heart transplantation.

A national radiation oncology medical student clerkship survey: didactic curricular components increase confidence in clinical competency.

Purpose: Students applying to radiation oncology residency programs complete 1 or more radiation oncology clerkships. This study assesses student experiences and perspectives during radiation oncology clerkships. The impact of didactic components and number of clerkship experiences in relation to confidence in clinical competency and preparation to function as a first-year radiation oncology resident are evaluated.