Archive: April 30, 2021

Education

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School participates in #AIforIndia, aims at breaking Guinness World Record

Apr 30, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Ghaziabad, #Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, #Vasundhara

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Vasundhara, Ghaziabad, is thrilled to announce that it received a great opportunity to be part of an amazing event, aimed at setting a world record in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The institute participated in the World Record Event, organised by GUVI in collaboration with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The initiative titled ‘AI for India’, can be easily called as India’s Biggest Coding Revolution. #AIforIndia 1.0 aimed at breaking the Guinness World Record, by training 10 Lakh participants in a one-day online workshop.

The training was provided by GUVI, an IIT-Madras Incubated Company. The virtual workshop, which was held on 24th April 2021, taught the participants how to build a ‘Face Recognition App’, by using Python Programming skills for free. The online platform did not only train people in a cool coding skill but also gave them a chance to be part of a WORLD RECORD in the AI sector.

CBSE, promoting and supporting the initiative, said that the program was aligned with the broader vision of establishing India as a global AI leader. The initiative focused on placing India among the top 3 countries, who are leading the world in Artificial Intelligence.

The school takes pride for being part of the event, wherein its teachers from IT dept along with the students from grade 8 onwards participated and received certificates of achievement for the successful completion of workshop – ‘Build a Face Recognition Application using Python as part of AI-For-India Event.’

The school wants to take this opportunity to extend heartiest congratulations to all the achievers and wish all the luck to the organisers and participants for receiving the Guinness World Record Attempt Certificate.

Business World

Operation Food Search Receives $240,000 Donation for Franklin County

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Operation Food Search

Anonymous donation specifically earmarked for the nonprofit’s Franklin County partner agencies

(St. Louis, Mo., April 29, 2021) Operation Food Search (OFS), a non-profit hunger relief organization, recently received $240,000 from a semi-retired couple now living in Franklin County who wished to stay anonymous.  Their one request:  the donation had to be used for OFS’s partner agencies located in the Franklin County community.  Their main objective:  their donation would inspire people to give to agencies like this which are addressing food insecurity during the current pandemic.

Each of the following agencies received $30,000:  Agape House of Franklin County, Agape Help House of Pacific, Catholic Services of St. Clair, Community Outreach of Gerald, Loving Hearts Outreach, St. Francis Borgia, Second Blessings, and Tri Pantry.  Potential uses for the funds include purchasing vehicles, walk-in coolers, and shelf-stable food, as well as expanding and improving sites to incorporate handicap accessibility and security.

“This generous donation was made by long-time supporters of our agency who wished to remain anonymous,” said OFS President and CEO Kristen Wild.  “They are a semi-retired couple who recognized the increased and ongoing need of the Franklin County community, and they stepped up to make a difference in their area.”  Wild added that the funds were distributed to the nonprofits’ partner agencies “demonstrating the biggest need in serving families experiencing food insecurity during this ongoing pandemic.”

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search (OFS) is a hunger relief organization located at 1644 Lotsie Blvd. that provides free food, nutrition education and innovative programs proven to reduce food insecurity.  With a strategic focus aimed at ending childhood hunger, OFS empowers families and increases access to healthy and affordable food.  The agency provides food and services to 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis – one-third of whom are children – through a network of 330 community partners in 27 Missouri and Illinois counties and the city of St. Louis.  For more information, call (314) 726-5355 or visit Operation Food Search.

Business World

Special Work From Home Footwear collections by Escaro Royale

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Escaro Royale

THE FORTMILL HORSEBIT SLIPPERS MULESEscaro Royale, India’s leading luxury footwear company, recently unveiled its latest April – May 2021 range. Style in today’s world entails more than just following the current trend; it also entails taking warmth in it. This new addition exemplifies the trend, seamlessly blending beauty and warmth.

House shoes are the best way to keep your feet at home relaxed, safe and tidy. Change your shoes to them when you get home, for the gentle acceptance of memory foam insoles and soft, fluffy padding. Change your shoes. Many styles come with firm soles, so that you can enduce without switching to the mailbox or corner shop, while some are only ideal for curling with a nice read. No matter what theme you pick, they add themselves to every casual house.

To boost our appearance and project a confident outlook, we need a pair of comfortable shoes that perfectly suit our ensemble. Escaro Royale’s handcrafted luxury boots have stylish and fashionable ranges, making it a gift in disguise.

1. Escaro Royale THE FORT MILL HORSEBIT SLIPPERS MULES
Escaro Royale’s luxury horsebit slippers have arrived! Deeply embossed croco patterns with incredible texture and long-lasting fusing. Rubber inserts in the soles of the shoes.

Some Specifications :
Stuck on Construction
Sole – Leather Sole with Rubber Insert
Upper Material – FULL GRAIN Argentinian Rare White Crust 1.8 Gauge Leather
Lining – French Sheepskin Leather Lining
Finish – Hand Patina Textured Finish
Fashion Element – Croc pattern design
Closure – Slip on
Price :- 7999/-

1. Escaro Royale KOBE SLIPPERS MULES
The ability to create exceptional items by hand. Escaro Royale’s Kobe Slippers Mules have been wonderfully made by professional Escaro Royale craftsmen, making them stunning, exceptional, and mind-blowing.

Some Specifications :
Cemented Construction – Outer sole is directly Pasted to The Upper
Sole – Italian Rubber Sole
Upper Material – FULL GRAIN Argentinian Rare White Crust 1.8 Gauge Leather
Lining – French Sheepskin Leather Lining
Closure – Slip On
Country of Origin – Designed in Milan, Italy, Made in India
Toe Shape – Round
Price :- 7999/-

For more information, you can reach out https://www.escaro.in/

Business World

Exponential growth of the logistics sector provides a career to many

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #an enterprise-focused last mile delivery startup, #CEO, #Hemanth Chandra, #Pickkup

By Hemanth Chandra, CEO, Pickkup, an enterprise-focused last mile delivery startup

Backed by a technology-driven transformation, the logistics sector has in recent years emerged as a leading contributor to the economy as well as a major employment generator. The logistics sector in India is estimated to be a USD 200 billion industry with a contribution of over 14% to India’s GDP. The post COVID economic transition has further boosted the growth of the sector while accelerating a digital transformation across the logistics chain – from warehousing to supply chain management right to the last mile delivery. As per an assessment by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) last year, logistics was among the five top employment generating sectors in the post COVID economy in India (the others being tourism and hospitality, construction, information technology and telecom).

Interestingly, the pandemic and its aftermath have served to transform the logistics sector from a supporting service sector into an essential one. With the growth of e commerce penetrating down to smaller towns and a large number of businesses shifting to online selling, the demand for efficient logistics services has surged over the past year. This has also given a major push for value addition, automation, resource optimisation, digitization and adoption of best practices for the logistics space.

Surge in high skilled specialized jobs

While the need for optimising logistics costs and resources was always high, the post COVID environment has made it indispensable for logistics service providers to improve the predictability of the supply chain and make the entire logistics process transparent and trackable. The need for establishing automated warehouses, ushering in system upgradation in the entire supply chain and instituting enhanced navigation facilities is driving the next phase of growth of the logistics sector. The need to digitise and automate processes has generated a growing demand for professionals with specialized skills such as digital adoption, data analysis, AI know how and automation, to name a few.

In the post COVID world, delivery providers have in many places toyed with the idea of robotic or drone deliveries of food and medicines. In the American city of Houston, Domino’s Pizza is starting a robotic pizza delivery system to meet the rising demand for online orders for pizza. In an Ireland town, a startup has announced the use of drones to deliver mobile phones and tablets to residents. At the same time, as demand for same day or next day deliveries rises, the last mile delivery apparatus is being upgraded with tech-enabled solutions to optimise resources, predict order volumes and ensure route optimisation.

Clearly, the logistics industry is no more a ‘low-skilled’ industry and is actively seeking highly skilled human resource to herald the rapid deployment of digital technology, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. According to an estimate, the logistics sector employed about 21.24 million people back in 2016 and this number was expected to go beyond 30 million by 2022. From rising demand for courier delivery agents to warehouse managers, data analysts and people with specialised skills such as project mapping and process conversion, the sector is opening a range of work opportunities for both skilled and unskilled professionals.

Surging job opportunities in the logistics space

Here are a few career opportunities that will find increasing resonance in the logistics space in the coming years:

AI Professionals

The use of ArtificiaI Intelligence backed tools is enabling the logistics sector save time and costs by automating a series of manual tasks while helping optimise resources across the supply chain. AI Professionals are therefore in high demand to herald new algorithmic solutions, automated systems and predictive models for guiding the dynamic processes that are the need of the time.

Data Analysts

Like many other fields, Big Data and predictive analysis is presenting a huge opportunity in the field of logistics, supply chain management and last mile delivery as well. Effective predictive analytical solutions helps service providers predict order volumes and analyse the behavioural patterns of customers. Similarly, predictive analysis allows logistics applications to achieve route optimization and streamline processes across the supply chain. Already, E commerce companies are leveraging Big Data is a major way to achieve better targeting and customisation of their selling approaches. Professionals with data analysis skills are therefore likely to be a major draw in the logistics space.

Delivery agents

This is a given! As e commerce sales surge and doorstep delivery becomes a necessity rather than a luxury, there has been rising demand for courier delivery agents across the urban landscape. Over the past year, the demand for last mile delivery agents has already surged as online purchases pick pace in every sector – be it food, medicines or consumer goods.

Warehousing managers

With online buying of food and grocery generating an increasing demand for same day deliveries across top tier as well as smaller cities, e commerce providers are increasingly feeling the need for establishing warehousing facilities in multiple cities. This has in turn led to an increasing demand for warehousing managers, not just to man the facilities physically but also update the digital warehouse management systems.

Technology

Microchip Announces the Expansion of its Radiation Hardened ARM

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #SAMRH71 Arm-based microprocessor

New Delhi, April 29, 2021 – Deep space initiatives including planetary exploration, orbiter missions and space research require innovative spacecraft system technology providing connectivity and processing. To enable system designers better integration and higher performance while reducing development costs and time to market, COTS technologies and scalable solutions are increasingly used in space applications. Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) today announced the qualification of its SAMRH71 Arm-based microprocessor (MPU) and the availability of the SAMRH707 microcontroller (MCU), both implementing Arm Cortex-M7 SoC radiation-hardened technology.

“Spacecraft and satellites are expanding in complexity to provide commercial and military operators with robust new communication and data capabilities, greater reliability and faster speeds, while the operators continuously seek to reduce cost, size and weight,” said Bob Vampola, associate vice president of Microchip’s aerospace and defense business unit. “In this environment, lowering system development costs while enabling greater capabilities and space system integration are ever more critical.”

Microchip’s SAMRH71 and SAMRH707 devices were developed with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, to further research and program initiatives.

“The introduction of Arm technologies for space applications opens up new perspectives by enabling the use of the same ecosystem well in place in the consumer and industrial sectors,” said David Dangla, VLSI Components Expert at CNES. “The SAMRH71 is the first Arm Cortex M7-based rad-hard microprocessor available today on the market. It offers developers the simplicity of a single-core processor and the performance of an advanced architecture without having to implement heavy mitigation techniques as is required for non-space components.”
“Integration of digital-to-analog converters and analog-to-digital converters together with a powerful processor core is a key requirement for addressing new challenges in aerospace applications,” said Kostas Marinis, Onboard Computers Engineer at ESA. “With the SAMRH707, Microchip provides easy-to-use capabilities in cost-effective, radiation-hardened MCUs.”

Relying on the standard Arm Cortex-M7 architecture and the same peripherals as automotive and industrial processors, the SAMRH71 and SAMRH707 provide system development cost and schedule optimization by leveraging standard software and hardware tools from the consumer devices.

The SAMRH71, a radiation-hardened variant of Microchip’s COTS automotive SoC technology, provides a combination of space connectivity interfaces along with high-performance architecture with more than 200 Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS). Designed for high-level radiation performance, extreme temperatures and high reliability, the SAMRH71’s Arm Cortex-M7 core is coupled with high-bandwidth communication interfaces such as SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553, CAN FD and Ethernet with IEEE 1588 Generalized Precision Time Protocol (gPTP) capabilities. The device is fully ESCC qualified with support from CNES and compliant with MIL standard Class V and Q high-reliability grades, allowing systems to meet strict compliance requirements.

Extending the portfolio of Microchip’s radiation-hardened Arm Cortex-M7-based MCUs, the SAMRH707 device provides analog functions on top of a >100 DMIPS processor unit with Digital Signal Processing (DSP) capabilities, combined with space connectivity interfaces in a small footprint designed for high-level radiation performance, extreme temperatures and high reliability. The SAMRH707 enables a high level of integration embedding Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) and flash memory, high-bandwidth communication interfaces including SpaceWire, MIL-STD-1553 and CAN FD, along with analog functions such as a 12-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC).

With space-designed MCUs, MPUs and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Microchip provides critical elements for the development of new systems. Microchip’s total system solutions span space-qualified, radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant power, timing and clock devices, as well as connectivity and memory solutions.

Development Tools
To speed system design, developers can use the SAMRH71F20-EK and SAMRH707F18-EK evaluation boards. Microchip’s full ecosystem supports its SAMRH707 and SAMRH71 space processors and includes MPLAB Harmony tools suite and third-party software services for space applications. Both Microchip devices are supported by the company’s Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for developing, debugging and software libraries. The devices are supported in MPLAB Harmony version 3.0.

Availability
The SAMRH71 ceramic package device is available in volume production quantities with QMLQ (SAMRH71F20C-7GB-MQ) and QMLV (SAMRH71F20C-7GB-SV) equivalent qualification levels. For applications requiring high volumes and cost-optimized structures, the SAMRH71 is available for printed circuit board design or evaluation in Ball Grid Array (BGA) plastic packaging. The SAMRH707 in a CQFP164 ceramic package is sampling today (SAMRH707F18A-DRB-E).

For additional information or to purchase products mentioned here, contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s website.

Education, News

KIIT World School organized an Environment Summit virtually for students

Apr 29, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Neelima Kamarah, #Principal of KIIT World School, #World Earth Day

Gurugram: KIIT World School celebrated World Earth Day virtually with the motto of saving the earth through planting more and more trees. It has the aim to reduce the COVID situation and increase the oxygen level through the organized virtual occasion. There was an Interschool competition for students for showing their creative skills as per the program.

The competition was organized for the students to showcase their talent in the ‘Musical Earth Saver’ where the participants from various schools have to produce a beautiful message through one- minute video either through rap or jingle on 3R’s reduce, recycle, reuse. Many participants have prepared a presentation on their Inspirational Environmentalist where they are supposed to speak about Environmentalist. The schools that participated in the competitions were DAV Public School, Sector – 49, KIIT World School Sector 46, Delhi Public School, Maruti Kunj, Summer Field School DLF Phase 1, St. Xavier High School Sector 49, St. Angel School Sector 45, KIIT World School Sohna Road, Lotus Valley International School, Mount Olympus, and KIIT World School Pitampura.

Neelima Kamarah, Principal of KIIT World School, made the children aware of keeping the environment safe. She said, ”In the pandemic situation people are facing a lot of oxygen problems due to lack of trees on earth, we should maintain its greenery and cleanliness. The usage of natural resources should be in a proper manner to save and protect our earth from bad elements or pollution.”

Business World, News

Huawei Announces 2021 Q1 Business Results Business Remains Resilient

Apr 29, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Eric Xu, #Huawei's Rotating Chairman

Shenzhen, China: Huawei announced its business results for the first quarter of 2021 today, which were in line with forecast.

In Q1, Huawei generated CNY152.2 billion in revenue, a 16.5% decrease year-on-year. Its network business maintained steady growth, while consumer business revenue declined, in part as a result of selling the Honor smart device brand in November 2020. Huawei’s net profit margin was up 3.8 percentage points[1] year-on-year at 11.1% – the result of the company’s ongoing efforts to improve quality of operations and management efficiency, as well as a patent royalty income of US$600 million.

“2021 will be another challenging year for us, but it’s also the year that our future development strategy will begin to take shape,” said Eric Xu, Huawei’s Rotating Chairman. “We thank our customers and partners for their ongoing trust. No matter what challenges come our way, we will continue to maintain our business resilience. Not just to survive, but do so sustainably. As always, we will remain focused on the needs of our customers and keep delivering practical business value.”

Huawei is driving efforts to fully unleash the value of 5G. It is helping carriers around the world roll out their 5G networks, meeting the demands of consumers and industries alike, while boosting its own delivery efficiency. It continues to improve its software engineering capabilities and ramp up investment in the software sector to gradually increase the proportion of software and services in its total revenue mix.

“As always, we remain committed to technological innovation and investing heavily in R&D as we work to address supply continuity challenges caused by restrictions in the market”, stressed Xu. “We will continue making breakthroughs in basic science and pushing the frontiers of technology.”

[1] The financial data disclosed here are unaudited figures compiled in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards; exchange rate at the end of March 2021: US$1 = CNY6.5670 (source: external agencies)

Business World

Coca-Cola India pledges to help #StopTheSpread – Positively impacting over 10 lakh lives

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola Company~Commits initial contribution of INR 50 crores towards facilitating vaccination, providing safety kits, creating awareness and distributing beverages

New Delhi, 29th April 2020: As efforts accelerate nationwide to provide relief from the devastation of the second wave of the coronavirus, Coca-Cola in India has committed INR 50 crores to augment the nation’s effort in combating the crisis and containing the spread of the pandemic. The Coca-Cola system in India will facilitate COVID vaccination, provide safety kits, create awareness and distribute beverages to our nation’s front line, to positively impact over 10 lakh Indians.

In addition to its direct response, Coca-Cola India’s bottling partners have arranged vaccination camps, supported community kitchens, provided relief material and ambulance support, donated mobile Covid beds, ventilators and oxygen concentrators throughout the nation.

To stand in support of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Coca-Cola Company has created a special “Stop the Spread” fund worldwide. This fund will be channelized towards facilitating vaccine distribution, COVID safety kits (PPE – masks, gloves, sanitizer) and creating awareness around vaccination and sanitary practices to contain the spread of pandemic.

About the Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and nearly 3,900 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 21 billion-dollar brands, 19 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options.

These brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages.

More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates.

For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company

Technology

Comment from Tenable: Apple patches zero-day flaws

Apr 29, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Satnam Narang, #Staff Research Engineer, #Tenable

Apple recently patched several vulnerabilities across its lineup of software and operating systems. Included in these patches were fixes for two zero-day vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild. Please find below a comment from Satnam Narang, Staff Research Engineer, Tenable.

“Apple patched CVE-2021-30661, a vulnerability in its WebKit Storage component used in its browser engine. The vulnerability exists across its desktop operating system (macOS Big Sur) as well as its mobile devices such as iPhone (iOS), iPad (iPadOS), Apple Watch (watchOS) and its operating system for Apple TV, tvOS. Apple says that an attacker could gain arbitrary code execution when processing maliciously crafted web content. Apple said they’re aware of reports this flaw has been actively exploited in the wild.

“In addition to CVE-2021-30661, Apple also patched CVE-2021-30657, a logic issue in its System Preferences. The vulnerability would allow an attacker to bypass Apple’s Gatekeeper, which is supposed to prevent untrusted software from running on macOS. As an example, Security researcher Patrick Wardle, who wrote about the flaw, created a proof-of-concept of a resume PDF file that, when opened, will launch the system’s Calculator application, a popular benign tactic used to show successful exploitation.

“Researchers at Jamf also documented the in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2021-30657 by operators of the Shlayer macOS malware. The group has been known to spread their malware through poisoned search results that lead to fake downloads of Adobe Flash Player.

“Users of Apple devices, from laptops to mobile devices should regularly update to the latest version to protect themselves against threats like the ones patched recently.” – Satnam Narang, Staff Research Engineer, Tenable

Health, News

Apollo Hospitals reports first successful use of Intravascular Lithotripsy in India in treatment of severely calcified carotid artery stenosis

Apr 29, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Apollo Health City, #Apollo Hospitals Group, #Cath Lab & Interventional Cardiology, #Dr Sangita Reddy, #Dr. P C Rath, #Hyderabad, #Intravascular Lithotripsy, #Joint Managing Director, #Sr. Consultant Cardiologist & Director

Hyderabad: Apollo Hospitals today announced the first successful use of Intravascular Lithotripsy in India to treat a 75-year-old male patient with heavily calcified carotid artery lesions.The patient, who presented with recurrent CVA (cerebrovascular accident) or strokes, was successfully treated by transcarotid arterial revascularisation (TCAR) using Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL). With only a few cases reported from USA and Italy using IVL to treat carotid artery stenosis or narrowing, the achievement by the team of doctors at Apollo Health City, Hyderabad of the first reported use of this technique in India is a milestone in carotid angioplasty and stenting procedures in the country.

Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “At Apollo Hospitals, we are always looking to set new standards of care with advanced medical technology that lets our doctors undertake challenging procedures safely and successfully. The first reported use of IVL in India to treat calcified carotid artery lesions will enable us to treat patients who cannot go in for conventional procedures. It will decrease the risk of procedural complications, providing positive clinical outcomes with reduced risk of future adverse events. It is a testament to the dedication and skill of our doctors that they have continued to focus on treating and saving lives of patients with NCDs even during the pandemic.”

Dr. P C Rath, Sr. Consultant Cardiologist & Director, Cath Lab & Interventional Cardiology, Apollo Health City, Hyderabad said, “The patient presented with recurrent strokes. Upon evaluation, he was found to have a critical stenosis involving the right internal carotid artery. There was also significant calcification of the vessel and a 180o arc of deep wall calcium. This required urgent intervention to open up the vessel since carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is responsible for around 30% of ischemic strokes.The conventional treatment option of carotid endarterectomy, that is, surgical approach to remove plaque from the artery was not recommended due to advanced age and comorbidities that included hypertension and a prior CABG (coronary artery bypass graft surgery). A direct stent implant through the minimally invasive transfemoral carotid artery stenting was also not advisable due to the severely calcified plaque that would prevent proper stent expansion with sub-optimal dilatation of the artery. It was decided to proceed with Intravascular Lithotripsy that combines the combines the calcium-disrupting potential of lithotripsy with the expertise that we hold in use of balloon catheters.”

Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)works through generating sonic waves, which are sonic pressure waves. This is a novel use of the concept of lithotripsy, that has been safely used for decades to treat kidney stones by safely breaking up the stones. The sonic waves in IVL pass through the soft tissues of the arterial wall lining, and the pulsatile energy safely disruptsthe calcium in the plaques, creating micro-fractures in the calcium. The broken-up calcium allows expansion of the artery at low pressure thus permitting the safe implantation of a stent with minimal trauma to normal arterial tissue and improving the blood flow. The procedure is safer as the calcium fragments resulting from the IVL therapy remain in situ, with a reduced likelihood of breaking off and embolising.

Dr. P C Rath added, “A new tool called Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy that has been recently approved for the treatment of heavily calcified lesions in coronary and lower limb arteries was used to treat the heavy calcification in the carotid artery. While minimal data exists for its use in treating calcified plaques in carotid artery, we decided to proceed with IVL as the patient’s age and co-morbidites would not permit conventional treatment methods. However, the underlying calcium is known to result in suboptimal outcomes following stenting through percutaneous intervention. Aggressive post-dilatation in the carotid region often results in severe bradycardia (slowing down of heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure). IVLfacilitated adequate stent expansion and we were able to successfully perform the dilatation with minimal residual stenosis.