Kien Giang General Hospital successfully deployed LithiX HC mechanical decalcification balloon on a 95-year-old patient – ​​the first case in the Mekong Delta

Kien Giang Provincial General Hospital has officially become the first medical facility in the Mekong Delta region to successfully perform coronary intervention for severe calcification using the mechanical IVL calcification balloon – LithiX HC (Elixir Medical, USA).

The intervention was performed on the oldest female patient in the region (95 years old) with an extremely complex eccentric calcification lesion.

Kien Giang General Hospital is the first facility to successfully perform coronary intervention using mechanical IVL balloon calcification in the Mekong Delta region.

Professionally challenging case

The patient is Mrs. Le Thi T. (95 years old, Rach Gia City). The results of coronary angiography combined with OCT showed two severe stenosis segments on the left anterior descending branch (LAD), the stenosis level was over 90% and the diameter between the two segments was clearly different. The calcified plaque was thick, eccentric, with a circumference of 280–360°, accompanied by many large calcium nodules – the type of lesion considered the "most challenging" for all current calcium treatment techniques. Due to the old age and high risk of complications, the patient could not use calcium drilling, cutting balloon, high pressure balloon or other specialized equipment.

A challenging intervention in an elderly patient at high risk for cardiovascular complications.

After a strategic meeting, the team decided to use only one 2.5 mm LithiX™ balloon to treat the entire calcified vessel. Thanks to its semi-compliance properties, the balloon can flexibly expand from 2.5 mm to more than 3.2 mm according to the pressure level, suitable for both vessel segments of different sizes. During the intervention, the balloon was inflated 9 times at 6–12 atm but still operated stably, broke the calcification evenly and did not cause damage to the vascular endothelium. In particular, the "Clear Stent" mode on the angiography system helped the image of the LithiX™ balloon and the metal hemispheres appear extremely clear, without image interference - a great advantage for conventional centers not equipped with OCT or IVUS technology.

During the procedure, the patient showed signs of acute myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation. The team led by Dr. Huynh Trung Cang (Head of Cardiology Department, Kien Giang General Hospital) and Dr. Lam Huu Giang quickly deflated the IVL balloon to restore blood flow. After only a few minutes, the patient's condition was completely stable, the team continued to re-inflate the LithiX™ balloon and completed the procedure without any additional support tools. The OCT scan results after placing the LithiX™ balloon showed that the calcified plaques had been completely broken down, ready for the best stent placement.

Positive results and many benefits for elderly patients

After treating the calcified plaque, the team successfully placed two drug-eluting stents. The OCT scan results showed optimal stent expansion: the smallest stent area expanded over 98%, and the adherence to the vessel wall reached 100%. The patient was conscious immediately after the procedure, hemodynamically stable, and was discharged after only 48 hours.

It is noteworthy that the entire preparation process for severe calcification lesions only uses a single LithiX™ balloon. Unlike the traditional method which requires a rotablator, cutting balloon, high pressure balloon and many combined devices, this new technique significantly reduces material costs, shortens intervention time, limits X-ray dose and contrast agent amount. This is an important advantage for elderly patients and provincial health facilities in the Mekong Delta.

Mechanical IVL decalcification ball – LithiX HC brings advantages to elderly patients and provincial medical facilities.

Dr. Huynh Trung Cang (Head of Cardiology Department, Kien Giang General Hospital) said: "We are proud to be the first unit in the Mekong Delta to completely master LithiX™ Hertz Contact technology. With just one mechanical decalcification ball, we have successfully treated thick eccentric calcification lesions, overcoming acute ischemic events, providing clear OCT images and optimizing costs for patients. This is a suitable solution for elderly patients in the Southwest region."

With this successful intervention, Kien Giang General Hospital once again affirms its pioneering role in applying modern cardiovascular techniques, bringing advanced treatment technology closer to people in the Mekong Delta region.

Kien Giang General Hospital

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/benh-vien-da-khoa-kien-giang-trien-khai-thanh-cong-bong-pha-voi-co-hoc-lithix-hc-tren-benh-nhan-95-tuoi-ca-dau-tien-tai-dong-bang-song-cuu-long-16925112616250172.htm