Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), often called **Shockwave IVL**, is a catheter-based procedure that uses sonic pressure waves (shockwaves) to break up hardened, calcified plaque in coronary and peripheral arteries. By fracturing both deep and superficial calcium, it restores vessel compliance and allows for better balloon expansion and stent placement, reducing complications compared to traditional, more invasive methods.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the interior of blood vessels (arteries or veins) from the inside. It provides detailed cross-sectional images, helping doctors assess plaque buildup, vessel size, and guide stent placement, often revealing more information than angiograms.