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Publications

Journal Article Review Ppublish 1 citation

PubMed: 42707870 DOI: 10.4331/wjbc.121278

Calcified coronary artery disease: Mechanisms, risk factors and clinical consequences.

World J Biol Chem 17(3):121278

Authors: Nikolaos Ktenopoulos, Anastasios Apostolos, Theoni Theodoropoulou, Paschalis Karakasis, Panagiotis Iliakis, Nikolaos Tsiamis, Nikias Milaras, Ioannis Skalidis, Kiriaki Evdaimon, Marios Sagris, Maria Drakopoulou, Andreas Synetos, George Latsios, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Konstantinos Toutouzas

Affiliations

  • First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.
  • First Department of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Hippokration General Hospital of Athens, Athens 11527, Greece.
  • Second Department of Cardiology, Medical School, Department of Hygiene, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece.
  • Institut Cardiovasculaire Paris-Sud, Hôpital Jacques Cartier, Ramsay Santé, Massy 91300, France.
  • Rea Gynecological Hospital, Athens 17564, Attikí, Greece. Vocational High School of Rafina, Rafina 19009, Attikí, Greece.

Abstract

Coronary artery calcification is a common manifestation of advanced atherosclerosis and an important determinant of cardiovascular risk and procedural complexity during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Calcification evolves from microcalcifications within the intima to larger fragmented, sheet-like or nodular deposits. Although extensive calcification often reflects stable plaque, specific patterns such as spotty calcification and eruptive calcified nodules are associated with plaque vulnerability and thrombotic events. In calcified lesions, PCI is technically challenging because calcium impairs balloon expansion, stent delivery and optimal stent deployment, increasing the risk of under-expansion and adverse outcomes. Intracoronary imaging with intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography enables detailed calcium characterization and guides lesion preparation. This review summarizes the mechanisms, prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and contemporary management of calcified coronary artery disease.

MeSH

Stents, Coronary Artery Disease, Arteries, Calcium, Risk Factors