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Rotational atherectomy
is a special type of atherectomy. In this procedure, the catheter, which is inserted into the artery in your
groin and gently guided by X-ray to the coronary artery that is blocked, has a diamond burr on its leading end. This burr is rotated rapidly
at the site of the blockage to sand away the plaque. This sanding causes the plaque to be broken down into microscopic particles that pass
into the bloodstream and are removed from your body. Rotational atherectomy opens your artery and allows blood to pass more freely through
the vessel. Like regular atherectomy, rotational atherectomy is usually reserved for blood vessel blockages with specific characteristics.
Angioplasty is not a painful procedure. However, it does require that you lie still on a table. To help you do this, you will receive
medication that will keep you relaxed and comfortable. Each of these types of angioplasties takes about one to two hours to complete. After
the procedure, you will be asked to lay flat in bed for between four and six hours. Sometimes a tube is left in your artery overnight. Laying
flat is an unnatural position, and you may require sedative or pain medicines to keep you comfortable during this time.
After angioplasty, one of the important challenges is to keep the blockage from coming back. When it does, the blockage is called
restenosis. You can improve the chances of keeping the artery open by
not smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, and taking certain
medications prescribed by your doctor that have been shown to help prevent restenosis.
If any of the angioplasty procedures are recommended for you, you will receive more information and instructions when your
cardiac catheterization is scheduled.
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Copyright ©2005 Michigan Heart & Vascular Institute. All rights reserved.
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