Colorado Springs Cardiology Heart & Vascular Center is one of the first ambulatory surgery centers in the country to adopt the SEISMIQ™ Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) system from Boston Scientific, a therapy that supports physicians in treating patients with complex calcified peripheral artery disease (PAD). The facility is the second in the state of Colorado and the sixth ASC in the United States to bring this technology to patients.
PAD is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, most often in the legs. In many advanced cases, plaque buildup in the arteries becomes calcified, making the arteries stiff and harder to treat with traditional tools. These hardened calcium deposits can prevent balloons or stents from expanding properly, making procedures less effective and more difficult to perform.
The SEISMIQ IVL system is a next-generation technology that uses laser-generated acoustic pressure waves to fracture hardened calcium within the wall of the artery. By breaking up the calcium, the system helps prepare the vessel for further treatment, such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement. These challenges are especially significant in patients with advanced PAD, where restoring blood flow to the lower limbs is essential for wound healing and limb preservation. The SEISMIQ IVL system is designed to modify both superficial and deep calcium, improving vessel function and enabling physicians to perform more predictable procedures without damaging soft tissue.
“The SEISMIQ IVL system represents a meaningful advancement in our ability to treat patients with some of the most complex vascular lesions we encounter. Calcified arteries have historically been among the most challenging to treat effectively, and this technology allows us to address that calcium more precisely and safely. The result is better vessel preparation, more predictable outcomes, and ultimately, better care for our patients here in Southern Colorado,” said Christopher Kovach, MD, MSc, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI at Colorado Springs Cardiology Heart & Vascular Center.
The SEISMIQ IVL system is designed to support more precise energy delivery, enabling a high level of control for physicians when treating various types of calcified lesions. The system allows users to activate specific emitters along the catheter’s length to tailor therapy based on lesion location and severity. This emitter-level control, combined with consistent acoustic pressure and real-time feedback, helps physicians make real-time adjustments as needed during the procedure for more effective lesion preparation.
IVL has become an important tool in the treatment of calcified lesions, offering an alternative to traditional plaque modification techniques. Across the industry, it is recognized for delivering high success rates, low complication risks, and improvements in quality of life for patients with challenging calcified lesions, particularly those with critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). The therapy is associated with high success rates, low complication risks, and improved long-term outcomes by enabling better stent expansion, enhanced drug delivery, and more consistent results.¹
The SEISMIQ IVL system has already been evaluated in two clinical trials for the treatment of PAD and is now being investigated for coronary applications. It is currently indicated for lithotripsy-enhanced balloon dilation of calcified lesions in the peripheral vasculature, including iliac, femoral iliofemoral, popliteal, and infra-popliteal arteries. It is not currently intended for use in coronary arteries, nor the carotid or cerebral vasculature.
To learn more about the SEISMIQ IVL system, vascular calcium, and advanced treatment options, visit the Boston Scientific SEISMIQ page.