Atherectomy

Atherectomy is a procedure for opening coronary arteries blocked by plaque (the build-up of cholesterol and other fatty substances in the inner lining of an artery). Coronary atherectomy uses a rotating shaver, which is a disk or "burr" device on the end of a catheter. The catheter is introduced into the body through a blood vessel in the leg (or arm) and is threaded through the blood vessels into the blocked coronary artery. The tip of the catheter has a high-speed rotating device that grinds the plaque up into minute particles. One such device is called the Rotoblator, which rotates at close to 200,000 rpm, grinding away fatty material that blocks arteries. Balloon angioplasty may then be used on the artery treated with atherectomy.  Coronary stents may also be used in addition to the atherectomy procedure.