Distinct Challenges of Eruptive and Non-Eruptive Calcified Nodules in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

To provide a summary of prevalence, pathogenesis, and treatment of coronary calcified nodules (CNs).

CNs are most frequently detected at the sites of hinge motion of severely calcified lesions such as in the middle segment of right coronary artery and left main coronary bifurcation. On histopathology, CNs exhibit two distinctive morphologies: eruptive and non-eruptive. Eruptive CNs, which have a disrupted fibrous cap with adherent thrombi, are biologically active. Non-eruptive CNs, which have an intact fibrous cap without thrombi, are biologically inactive, representing either healed eruptive CNs or protrusion of calcium due to plaque progression. Recent studies using optical coherence tomography (OCT) have shown a difference in the mechanism of stent failure in the two subtypes, demonstrating early reappearance of eruptive CNs in the stent (at ~ 6 months) as a unique mechanism of stent failure that does not seem to be preventable by simply achieving adequate stent expansion. The cause of CN reappearance in stent is not known and could be due to acute or subacute intrusion or continued growth of the CN. Whether modification of CN is needed, the most effective calcium modification modality and effectiveness of stent implantation in eruptive CNs has not been elucidated.

In this review, we discuss pathogenesis of CNs and how intravascular imaging can help diagnose and manage patients with CNs. We also discuss medical and transcatheter therapies beyond conventional stent implantation for effective treatment of eruptive CNs that warrant testing in prospective studies.