On November 20, 2025, the training day “Strategies for the Management of Coronary Calcification” was held , an initiative organized by the EPIC Foundation within the FOCUS EPIC ON program . The meeting brought together numerous specialists in coronary intervention and was led by Dr. Juan Miguel Ruiz Nodar from Dr. Balmis Hospital in Alicante and Dr. Felipe Hernández , interventional cardiologist from the Comprehensive Cardiology Unit of La Luz University Hospital.
The day featured a high-level scientific program, focused on updating and reviewing current strategies for the treatment of coronary calcification , one of the most complex situations in percutaneous intervention.
The first part of the course addressed coronary calcium assessment , including the pathophysiology of calcified lesions, the utility of coronary CT angiography , and the fundamental role of intracoronary imaging using OCT and IVUS . In addition, technical recommendations and strategies for managing the most resistant lesions were presented.
The second session was conducted in a practical format and focused on the use of plaque modification devices . It analyzed real-world cases demonstrating the application of very high-pressure balloons, cutting and scoring balloons, lithotripsy , rotational and orbital atherectomies , and coronary laser ablation , as well as optimizing the use of drug-eluting stents in these complex anatomies. The session concluded with the presentation of a practical algorithm designed to facilitate decision-making in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
Dr. Felipe Hernández 's participation as director demonstrated his commitment to continuing education and the dissemination of the most advanced techniques in interventional cardiology, reinforcing the value of these types of meetings to improve the treatment of patients with calcified coronary artery disease.