Coronary Atherectomy
Atherectomy is a procedure that relieves symptoms of coronary artery disease by improving blood flow to your heart.
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| Plaque is ground into small particles. |
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| The blood flow to the heart muscle increases. |
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| Insertion sites may be in the groin or the arm. |
During the Procedure
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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.
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Then, a special atherectomy catheter carrying a grinding device is positioned at the narrow spot in your coronary artery.
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An abrasive burr near the tip of the catheter grinds the plaque into small particles that float harmlessly away in the bloodstream.
Call Your Doctor If:
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You have angina (chest pain).
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The insertion site has pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, or drainage.
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You have severe pain, coldness, or a bluish color in the leg or arm that held the catheter.
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You experience blood in your urine, black or tarry stools, or any other kind of bleeding.
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You have a fever over 101.0°F.
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After the Procedure
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You’ll need to remain lying down for 6–12 hours.
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If the insertion site was in your groin, you may need to lie down with your leg still for several hours.
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A nurse will check the insertion site and your blood pressure. Before going home, you may have a chest x-ray and other tests.
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You usually remain in the hospital for several hours or overnight.