Shockwave IVL (intravascular lithotripsy)
OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center is the first hospital in central Illinois, and one of the earliest handful in all of Illinois, to use intravascular lithotripsy (IVL), an innovative technology from Shockwave Medical to help make treatment safer and more effective for people with coronary artery disease.
Shockwave IVL uses sonic pressure waves to break up calcium in arteries, including the coronary artery, making the artery less rigid. That makes it easier to safely install a stent and restore blood flow without complications.
The experts at OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute first used the device at OSF Saint Francis in March 2021, and they are excited to have the new technology available to benefit heart disease patients.
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