Angioplasty in the Modern Era: Clinical Triage and Risk Mitigation for Healthcare Professionals

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze the indications and contraindications for coronary angioplasty in patients with stable ischemic heart disease versus acute coronary syndromes.

2. Evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety profiles of current-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) compared to drug-coated balloons in specific lesion types.

3. Implement evidence-based post-procedural dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) regimens based on individual patient bleeding and ischemic risk profiles.

This course reviews contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) decision-making and technique, emphasizing physiology-guided assessment, anatomic risk stratification, and evidence-informed selection of devices and pharmacotherapy. The activity covers SYNTAX-based complexity assessment and physiologic indices such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) to support revascularization choices in appropriate clinical contexts. The course also summarizes current evidence on drug-eluting stents and drug-coated balloons, highlights when intravascular imaging (IVUS/OCT) can refine procedural results, and reviews strategies to reduce bleeding risk and contrast-related kidney injury in higher-risk patients. Participants will learn to implement ultra-short antithrombotic regimens for high-bleeding-risk patients and apply advanced nephroprotection strategies to mitigate Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury (CI-AKI).

This course addresses the professional practice gap created by the rapid pace of technological advances and the emergence of adjuvant antithrombotic pharmacotherapy. It closes the gap in clinical decision-making regarding "stent-less" strategies and specialized care for high-risk subgroups, such as dialysis populations, which often lags behind current evidence.