For OVHC patients with specific types of coronary artery blockages, a special
process may be used to help open these blockages and create better blood flow
to and from the heart's chambers.
This process, known as the "Rotablator," is formally called rotational
atherectomy. In this invasive procedure, a catheter is threaded into the
patient's affected coronary arteries. On the catheter's tip is a
diamond-studded burr that rotates at very high speeds. Through a
high-speed chipping process, the burr removes, or ablates, cholesterol
and calcium lesions blocking the coronary arteries. OVHC physicians
can easily exchange burr tips during the procedure based on the size
of the patient's lesions. Rotablator is typically used with patients
who have very calcified or long lesions blocking their arteries.
The Rotablator process allows OVHC's cardiologists to then insert
angioplasty balloons and stents that help keep these arteries cleared
and propped open for improved blood flow. For more information on
OVHC's angioplasty and stent procedures, please click on these links.
To Angioplasty...
To Stents...
Back to Medical & Surgical Treatments
