Is pre-intervention intravascular ultrasound necessary in evaluating target lesion calcification in patients undergoing transcatheter therapy?
To identify a subset of patients with a high probability of extensive calcification for further intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination, the frequency and extent of target lesion calcification as assessed by IVUS and its correlations with age, gender and risk factors as well as the value of angiography in identifying ultrasound calcification were analyzed in 88 patients undergoing balloon angioplasty for significant coronary atherosclerotic stenosis. The extent of calcification was semi-quantitatively graded as 0: no calcification; +: calcification arc < 90 degrees; ++: calcification arc from 90 degrees to 180 degrees; : calcification arc > 180 degrees. The distribution pattern of calcification was classified as superficial, deep or mixed. The results indicate: (1) the frequency of target lesion calcification was 38.6%, of which 52.9% showed a superficial pattern and 56.0% had a calcification arc < 90 degrees; and (2) only age was significantly associated with target lesion calcifi
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