Atherectomy
Coronary Atherectomy (ath"er-EK'to-me) is a procedure to remove plaque from arteries. Plaque is the buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in an artery's inner lining. Plaque or fat can cause the inside of the arteries to narrow or close. Less oxygen carrying blood can move through these arteries because of the narrowing. This can cause chest pain called angina, heart disease, or a heart attack.
Coronary atherectomy removes plaque from the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle. It uses a laser catheter, or a rotating shaver (similar to that of a dentist's drill). The catheter is inserted into the body and advanced through an artery to the area of narrowing. Catheter devices used include dissectional catheterectomy, catheters that shave off the plaque, or laser catheters that vaporize the plaque. Balloon angioplasty or stenting may be used after an atherectomy.