Which balloon type is described as ideal for unstable highly calcified lesions?

Which balloon type is described as ideal for unstable highly calcified lesions?

• A. Non-compliant balloons
• B. Compliant balloons
• C. Cutting balloons
• D. Rapid-exchange balloons

Answer: (A)

Non-compliant balloons stay at a fixed diameter as pressure increases, thanks to their thicker, less stretchy walls. That makes them ideal for unstable, heavily calcified lesions because you can apply high pressure to crack or compress the rigid calcium while maintaining a controlled, predictable luminal gain. They minimize the risk of overexpansion or rupture of the healthy vessel tissue, which is a key concern with calcified plaques. In contrast, compliant balloons expand more with pressure and can over-dilate or cause irregular dilation, which is riskier in calcified vessels. Cutting balloons may help some lesions but are less effective for dense calcifications, and rapid-exchange balloons refer to a catheter design rather than a specific strategy for modifying calcified plaque. So the ability to deliver high, controlled dilation without unwanted overexpansion makes the non-compliant balloon the best choice here.

Non-compliant balloons stay at a fixed diameter as pressure increases, thanks to their thicker, less stretchy walls. That makes them ideal for unstable, heavily calcified lesions because you can apply high pressure to crack or compress the rigid calcium while maintaining a controlled, predictable luminal gain. They minimize the risk of overexpansion or rupture of the healthy vessel tissue, which is a key concern with calcified plaques. In contrast, compliant balloons expand more with pressure and can over-dilate or cause irregular dilation, which is riskier in calcified vessels. Cutting balloons may help some lesions but are less effective for dense calcifications, and rapid-exchange balloons refer to a catheter design rather than a specific strategy for modifying calcified plaque. So the ability to deliver high, controlled dilation without unwanted overexpansion makes the non-compliant balloon the best choice here.