Coronary Atherectomy

Atherectomy is a procedure that relieves symptoms of coronary artery disease by improving blood flow to your heart.

Plaque is ground into small particles.

The blood flow to the heart muscle increases.

Insertion sites may be in the groin or the arm.

During the Procedure

• A guide wire is inserted through the guiding catheter (a thin, flexible tube) and moved to the narrow spot in your artery. Your doctor tracks its movement on an angiogram, a special kind of x-ray.

• Then, a special atherectomy catheter carrying a grinding device is positioned at the narrow spot in your coronary artery.

• An abrasive burr near the tip of the catheter grinds the plaque into small particles that float harmlessly away in the bloodstream.

After the Procedure

• You'll need to remain lying down for 6-12 hours.

• If the insertion site was in your groin, you may need to lie down with your leg still for several hours.

• A nurse will check the insertion site and your blood pressure. Before going home, you may have a chest x-ray and other tests.

• You usually remain in the hospital for several hours or overnight.