Atherectomy

Atherectomy is the first of the new catheterization laboratory treatments to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for general use in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease. The specific device which has been approved is the artherocath which has now been used to treat over 2,000 patients. This volume is directed to the interventional cardiologist whose role is rapidly changing to embrace much of the work that was previously performed by the cardiac surgeon. Divided into two parts, this book addresses the technical character, theoretical impact, current role and possible future of atherectomy. The first half of the book provides a detailed study of devices and techniques and includes a large number of photomicrographs, x-rays, and colour illustrations of pathology specimens to clarify the text. The second half of this text reviews the applications and possible indications for new procedures and devices.