J&J Debuts Shockwave C2 Aero Fly Coronary IVL Catheter in U.S.

Johnson & Johnson has launched its Shockwave C2 Aero Fly coronary intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) catheter in the United States. The next-generation device is designed to treat calcified coronary artery lesions while reducing IVL treatment time by 50%.

The catheter delivers pulses at 2 Hz, twice the rate of previous-generation devices, reducing treatment time from 230 seconds to 115 seconds. J&J said it also cuts the pause between pulsing cycles in half compared to Shockwave C2+/Shockwave C2 Aero—five seconds—shortening the time patients experience temporary blood flow interruption during balloon inflation.

The device builds on the Shockwave C2 Aero platform, incorporating features meant to improve catheter deliverability, lesion crossing, and balloon repositioning. The company said the new system maintains the safety and effectiveness of previous-generation catheters.

Intravascular lithotripsy uses sonic pressure waves to fracture calcium within coronary artery lesions before percutaneous coronary intervention, helping physicians prepare vessels for treatment. Shorter balloon inflation times may reduce procedure-related ischemic time and associated symptoms, including chest pain, the company said.

The new IVL catheter will be featured at Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s booth during the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting, scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 in San Diego.

Comments from J&J and clinicians

Mike Lang, worldwide president, Circulatory Restoration, MedTech: “Shockwave C2 Aero Fly is built for the future of coronary interventions, where physicians need proven technologies that can help them move faster without compromising safety or confidence in challenging calcified cases. As the pioneer and leader of the category, Johnson & Johnson is giving physicians and patients an increasingly efficient, predictable platform designed to meet the growing demands of complex coronary care.”

Karim Al-Azizi, MD, medical director, Structural Heart Program and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Baylor Scott & White Health: “During IVL treatment, balloon inflation temporarily blocks blood flow, and that time matters for patient care. Shockwave C2 Aero Fly raises the bar for coronary interventions by making procedures easier for physicians and less strenuous for patients. Its shorter balloon inflation and pause time reduce ischemic time and related symptoms for patients, enabling better, quicker and more streamlined care.”