Question 1

atherectomy-how big of a lesion can it treat?

Accepted Answer

Atherectomy: there is surgical and transcatheter atherectomy. In general surgical atherectomy can deal with larger lesions. Your physician who has the information about you can provide specific advice for you.

Question 2

what is the definition or description of: atherectomy?

Accepted Answer

PI: It is a percutaneous intervention -- a vascular procedure like 'scrapping' the vascular wall of layers of plaques.

Question 3

what is the benefit of an atherectomy over an angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

Atherectomy v balloo: typically blocked arteries can be opened more widely by inflating a balloon inside the vessel.  The balloon is then deflated and removed from the vessels.  At times, heavy calcium makes the arteries so hard they won't open w/ the balloon.  Some of those lesions can be addressed w/ Atherectomy, a device that shaves the plaque down creating a more wide flow channel.

Question 4

could you explain what is atherectomy's benefit over angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

Heavy calcification: Angioplasty can't dilate some types of blockage because they're too heavily calcified. Atherectomy can be successful sometimes where angioplasty can't.

Question 5

what is atherectomy's benefit over angioplasty, if it is in fact better?

Accepted Answer

Calcified blockages: Rotational atherectomy is used for very hard and calcified blockages. Its like a drill bit and strips away the calcium so an angioplasty or a stent can be deployed. Often without the atherectomy catheter u can't do a stent and a bypass would be neccessary.

Question 6

is it possible for you to combine angioplasty and atherectomy procedures?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Angiography and atherectomy are both performed through the same approach, namely inserting a catheter into an artery, usually the artery at the groin.  The angiography is performed first.  If this reveals a plaque in the artery accounting for the symptoms, the catheter can be exchanged for another type of catheter that can carry out the atherectomy.

Question 7

what must i expect in terms of effects having atherectomy for cad?

Accepted Answer

Same as angioplasty: This should not feel any different from a regular angioplasty.  As far as long term effects, the usual patient for atherectomy does not have very good anatomy and that is primarily the reason atherectomy is used.  Hard, calcified plaques are usually not amenable to other methods of angioplasty.  There are many cases when atherectomy is combined with stenting which is usually a better outcome.

Question 8

is atherectomy better than stent?

Accepted Answer

Different : Atherectomy is not better than stenting, it usually is reserved for cases when a balloon angioplasty combined with stenting, or direct stenting can not be accomplished due to the plaque burden.  In those cases atherectomy is used to debulk the plaque and the best result would be if this can then be supplemented with a stenting to prevent plaque regrowth or near-term closure of the vessel.

Question 9

atherectomy is it  better than bypass?

Accepted Answer

No: Bypass if needed and possible is a better form of revascularization.   To this day, and to the best of my knowledge, there have not been any studies that show angioplasty of any kind has a better long-term outcome than bypass surgery.

Question 10

what do you think about  atherectomy for cad?

Accepted Answer

If needed: Sometimes nothing else will work, in those circumstances, it is a good starting point.

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Doctor answers about:

Csi atherectomy

A member asked:

Atherectomy-how big of a lesion can it treat?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: atherectomy?

A member asked:

What is the benefit of an atherectomy over an angioplasty?

A member asked:

Could you explain what is atherectomy's benefit over angioplasty?

A member asked:

What is atherectomy's benefit over angioplasty, if it is in fact better?

A member asked:

Is it possible for you to combine angioplasty and atherectomy procedures?

A member asked:

What must i expect in terms of effects having atherectomy for cad?

A member asked:

Is atherectomy better than stent?

A member asked:

Atherectomy is it better than bypass?

A member asked:

What do you think about atherectomy for cad?

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