Atherectomy devices: technology update

Abstract

Nuri I Akkus,1 Abdulrahman Abdulbaki,1 Enrique Jimenez,2 Neeraj Tandon2 1Department of Cardiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, USA; 2Department of Cardiology, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport, LA, USA Abstract: Atherectomy is a procedure which is performed to remove atherosclerotic plaque from diseased arteries. Atherosclerotic plaques are localized in either coronary or peripheral arterial vasculature and may have different characteristics depending on the texture of the plaque. Atherectomy has been used effectively in treatment of both coronary and peripheral arterial disease. Atherectomy devices are designed differently to either cut, shave, sand, or vaporize these plaques and have different indications. In this article, current atherectomy devices are reviewed. Keywords: coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease