Shockwave IVL as First-line: The Real World Impact of the V-PAD Consensus
The newly released, transatlantic V-PAD Consensus represents a significant milestone for the global vascular community, bringing together 103 experts across vascular surgery, interventional radiology, angiology, and cardiology to establish a unified understanding of vessel preparation (VP) in peripheral artery disease (PAD). Using a modified Delphi process, the group delivered the first standardized definition of vessel preparation and outlined its core aims and practical considerations, providing a framework that can help harmonize clinical practice, support research design, and guide future policy in PAD care worldwide.
The most compelling outcome of the publication is the strong endorsement of Shockwave IVL for calcified PAD lesions. Experts reached high-level agreement (>75%) that IVL should serve as the first-line vessel preparation modality for calcified above-the-knee lesions. Regardless of the calcium morphology – eccentric or concentric – the support for IVL remained strong, confirming once again the consistency and predictability of Shockwave IVL’s results. These findings reinforce the role of Shockwave IVL as a key tool for calcified vessel preparation, setting a clear expectation for its central role in modern endovascular treatment strategies.
Read the full publication to learn more, and don’t miss the video below where lead author Prof. Thanos Saratzis breaks down the real-world impact of the V-PAD Consensus.
Prof. Thanos Saratzis is a paid consultant of Shockwave Medical.
Saratzis A, Patrone L, Secemsky EA, et al. Use of Vessel Preparation in Endovascular Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Interventions: A Global Qualitative Analysis. Journal of Endovascular Therapy. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1177/15266028261424732
This work was partly funded by Shockwave Medical Ltd., Boston Scientific Ltd., Medtronic Ltd., Philips Ltd.; funders did not have any input in collecting, maintaining, or analyzing data.
Shockwave IVL: In the U.S.: Rx only. Prior to use, please reference the Important Safety Information for more information on indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and adverse events. Please contact your local Shockwave representative for specific country availability.
