After the significant success of Shockwave Medical's IVL therapy to break up heavily calcified vessels without trauma, there are now several companies working on their own IVL devices. 

SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, recently outlined the key achievements for 2024, including creation of the first interventional cardiology match program, successful advocacy and efforts to increase women in the field.

The pressure changes associated with contrast injections are minimal, researchers noted, especially once you move away from the tip of the catheter. 

Charles E. Mullins, MD, a U.S. Army veteran who went on to practice medicine for five decades, died at the age of 92. SCAI shared a loving tribute to Mullins, calling him the "father of modern interventional pediatric cardiology."

PCI can be more challenging in high-risk patients presenting with diabetes and ACS. IVUS guidance was associated with improved outcomes among these patients compared to angiography guidance alone. 

J.D. Corl, MD, shared his experience using two new IVL catheters from Shockwave Medical to treat patients with heavily calcified peripheral arteries. He considers both new devices a significant upgrade. 

Demand for inpatient and outpatient cardiology services is expected to increase significantly in the next decade, putting hospitals and health systems in a position where they need to plan ahead or risk falling behind. 

Late-breaking data from the LIFE-BTK clinical trial showed that the Esprit BTK bioresorbable scaffold system offered better two-year outcomes than balloon angioplasty in severe peripheral artery disease (PAD) below the knee.