Since the advent of balloon angioplasty in 1977, countless tools and techniques have been introduced and broadened the application of percutaneous coronary intervention in unprecedented anatomic settings. Heavily calcified coronary lesions traditionally continue to pose a challenge for percutaneous coronary intervention, since they are difficult to dilate adequately and/or there is inability to deliver and deploy drug eluting stents appropriately. Poor stent deployment is associated with increased procedural complications and suboptimal long-term outcomes. Thanks to the introduction of dedicated percutaneous coronary intervention tools, like cutting-and scoring balloons, atherectomy devices, and the novel intravascular lithotripsy technology, the treatment of such lesions has become increasingly feasible, safe and predictable. In this focused review, the author provides a summary of the principles, technique and contemporary evidence for various plaque modification strategies, with main objective of optimizing drug eluting stents delivery and deployment, translating into improved patient outcome.