Atherectomy

What is Atherectomy?
Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove atherosclerosis from a blood vessel. It is also used to treat peripheral arterial disease and coronary artery disease. A sharp blade attached to a catheter is used to remove plaque. The plaque is collected by the catheter and removed.

How is the Atherectomy Performed?
A catheter is inserted through a small puncture of the artery in the leg.
The plaque is scraped away using the blade attached to the catheter.
A chamber in the catheter collects the plaque for removal.
The catheter may need to be inserted many times to remove a large amount of atherosclerosis.

How to Prepare for Atherectomy?
A few days before atherectomy, certain tests need to be performed on the patient.
The patient may need to discontinue some medications before the procedure.
The patient's full medical checkup needs to be conducted.

How much time is required?
The procedure requires Approximately 2 hours and the hospital stay is for about 1 to 2 days

What type of anesthesia will be given?
Local anesthesia

How will patient recover?
- After the procedure, the patient is required to lie down flat for 3 hours or more in the recovery room where the patient's condition is monitored closely.
- The patient will continue to receive intravenous medication like blood thinners to prevent clotting.

What should be cared?
- The patient should take the required medications as per the doctor's instructions.
- Over-the-counter medicines should not be taken without consulting the doctor.
- The patient should not drive while taking narcotic medication.
- The patient should take a healthy diet after a consultation with the dietician. Lots of liquid intake is recommended.
- The patient should exercise regularly, which makes the heart stronger.
- The patient should quit smoking.
- Stress should be avoided and relaxing techniques should be practiced by the patient.

The patient should contact the doctor if the following symptoms occur:
- Fever
- Nausea
- Infection or bleeding at the catheter insertion site
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulty
- Heavy sweating
- The leg that was used the atherectomy becomes painful or numb or cold and pale