Atherectomy – leading edge device unclogs blocked arteries

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by Ann-Marie Waters, Associate Editor.

An ultrasonic device tiny enough to navigate the arteries of the human heart, could enable doctors to perform a far safer job of cleaning cholesterol-laden plaque from the walls of the blood-vessels of heart disease patients.

The remote control device – developed by cardiologist Paul G. Yock from Stanford University school of medicine, is set to aid cardiologists from around the world in performing a technique known as ‘atherectomy’ (the removal of plaque from arteries supplying blood to the heart). The ultrasound guide is crucial in the prevention of cardiologists mistakenly cutting into normal blood vessel walls during the operation.

The new device emits sound waves that measure the thickness of the arterial plaque on the vessel wall – if it detects a large amount of plaque then an integral carbide cutting blade slides up the opening of the drill and shaves off a section of the plaque.

The drill can be used in patients with ‘peripheral arterial disease’ a painful condition of the legs commonly known as PAD. Dr. Paul Capito used the drill known as the Jetstream Pathway PV Atherectomy System for the first time on Oct 22nd 2008.

The most common symptom of PAD is pain in the calf muscles, thighs, or buttocks which is triggered by exertion such as walking and exercise. The sufferer’s arteries become narrower through the build up of plaque, preventing sufficient oxygenated blood from reaching the legs. The biggest risk factor for PAD is smoking.  Other risk factors are: a lack of exercise, carrying excess weight, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

The potential benefits of this device are already becoming apparent. A recent trial in Germany concluded that 12 patients who used the device found that there was no recurrence of arterial blockages after six months. The procedure is also less invasive than conventional methods and can be repeated at a later date if necessary.