Hertz contact intravascular lithotripsy for calcified coronary artery disease: the PINNACLE-I trial

EuroIntervention 2026 Open access

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Authors: Stefan Verheye, Bert Ferdinande, Valeria Paradies, Pim A.L. Tonino, Yoann Bataille, Daan Cottens, F. Spano, Zlatko Mehmedbegović, Pieter C Smits, Marie-Claude Morice, Johan Bennett
DOI: 10.4244/eij-d-25-00618
Cited by: 8
References: 24

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Calcified coronary lesions impede stent expansion and are associated with poor outcomes after percutaneous coronary interventions. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a safe and effective pretreatment to optimise stent implantation. AIMS: This study assesses the LithiX lithotripsy device, which uses the Hertz contact (HC) mechanism to fragment calcium while minimising injury to surrounding soft tissue, without requiring an external energy source. METHODS: The multicentre, prospective PINNACLE-I clinical trial enrolled patients with up to two moderately to severely calcified de novo lesions. The primary endpoints were

Fields of Study & Subjects

Coronary Interventions and Diagnostics Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments

Publication details

Journal / source
EuroIntervention
Publisher
Europa Digital & Publishing
Volume
22
Issue
4
Pages
255–264
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN