FV Hospital has successfully conducted an advanced training session on Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), an innovative technique for treating severely calcified coronary arteries, for doctors from Soc Trang General Hospital.

This initiative marks an important step in FV’s ongoing efforts to share expertise and transfer technology, helping expand life-saving treatment options for cardiac patients across Vietnam.

Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) is an advanced interventional technique for treating severe coronary calcification, with FV Hospital serving as the pioneering institution in Vietnam.

IVL Breaks Through the Barrier in Treating Severe Coronary Calcification

On August 19, FV Hospital organised an IVL training session that combined in-depth theory with hands-on practice in the Cathlab, allowing doctors from Soc Trang General Hospital to gain experience through real clinical cases.

The session began with a presentation by Dr Do Huu Phuc, Specialist Level I, Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department, FV Hospital, who outlined the principles, indications, and benefits of IVL, helping colleagues understand the mechanism of calcium disruption using shockwave technology.

IVL uses shockwaves generated by a specialised balloon to create micro-fractures in calcified plaques within the arterial wall. These shockwaves pass safely through soft tissue while breaking up rigid calcium deposits. This makes balloon angioplasty and stent placement easier, allowing the stent to expand uniformly, adhere firmly to the vessel wall, and reduce the risk of complications and restenosis.

Next, Dr Nguyen Anh Hoang shared his practical experience using a combined approach of IVL and RotaPro to treat complex coronary artery stenosis cases. The RotaPro technique employs a diamond-tipped burr that rotates at very high speed to grind down and break up calcified plaques inside the vessel. IVL is then used to deliver sonic pressure waves that fracture calcium deposits embedded deeper beneath the endothelium, where the diamond burr cannot reach.

The highlight of the programme was the live training session at the Cathlab. Under the guidance of Ho Minh Tuan, MD, PhD, Head of Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology at FV Hospital, doctors from Soc Trang observed three complex cases: a 57-year-old monk with prolonged chest pain and severe calcified coronary artery stenosis referred to FV for intervention; a 70-year-old Vietnamese-German doctor with severe in-stent restenosis a decade after stent placement in Germany; and a 69-year-old woman with calcified left main disease – one of the most challenging “bottlenecks” in interventional cardiology.

The visiting doctors from Soc Trang shared positive impressions after observing the FV team skilfully integrate IVL with other interventional cardiology techniques. “In many cases, we need to use multiple tools simultaneously to achieve the best outcome. FV currently has all the modern equipment needed to select the most appropriate strategy for each patient,” explained Ho Minh Tuan, MD, PhD.

The outcomes were impressive: a 100% success rate over the course of a month, with patients recovering quickly and being safely discharged. Notably, the Vietnamese-German doctor was able to return to Germany just three days after the procedure.

“Our Colleagues at FV Shared the New Technique with Wholehearted Dedication!”

Coronary artery calcification accounts for more than 20% of interventional cases and has long posed a major challenge for cardiologists. In the past, thoroughly treating complex calcification often required open-heart surgery – a highly risky option, particularly for elderly patients. Today, IVL technology enables doctors to manage cases once considered “impossible.” Since introducing IVL at FV in July 2025, the team has successfully treated dozens of cases using this technique.

Present at the training session, Truong Tu Trach, MD, PhD, Deputy Director and Head of the Cardiology Department at Soc Trang General Hospital shared that having direct access to this technology at FV was a valuable opportunity, rather than having to go abroad for training.
“When we learned that FV had successfully implemented IVL, we immediately reached out with the desire to share, learn, and exchange experiences. Through hands-on practice with real cases, I found this technique to be highly effective. Previously, we had to use multiple balloons to gradually dilate each segment, but with IVL it is simpler, safer, and more cost-effective for patients,” he said.

Dr Trach also expressed his deep impression of FV’s Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department, noting its state-of-the-art facilities and commitment to continually updating the latest interventional cardiology techniques. “Above all, our colleagues at FV shared this new technique with wholehearted dedication, without withholding even the smallest details. It is often those small steps that determine the success of the technique,” Dr Trach remarked.

Technology Transfer of IVL: A Lifeline for Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease

Vu Truong Son, MD,MSc, Medical Director of FV Hospital, shared that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide (WHO, 2024). As one of Vietnam’s leading cardiology centres, FV is committed to proactively sharing knowledge with the national medical community. Each doctor trained in this new technique can help save many patients’ lives within their own local communities.

For more information about coronary artery disease treatment with IVL, please contact the Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department at FV Hospital on (028) 3511 3333, or visit us at 06 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), Ho Chi Minh City.