About Coronary Atherectomy
Key Highlights
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Effectively treats heavily calcified, hard plaques that are resistant to standard balloon angioplasty.Minimally invasive procedure performed through a small catheter insertion, avoiding open-heart surgery.Improves vessel preparation for successful stent placement and expansion.Can restore blood flow in complex coronary lesions, reducing symptoms like chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath.Typically involves a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery compared to surgical alternatives.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe coronary artery calcification that prevents adequate balloon inflation during angioplasty.
- Complex, hard plaque lesions (e.g., fibrocalcific plaques) that are high-risk for standard stent procedures.
- In-stent restenosis (re-narrowing) within a previously placed stent, especially if calcified.
- Patients with persistent angina (chest pain) due to blockages not amenable to other interventions.
- To facilitate optimal stent deployment by modifying the plaque architecture before placement.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive cardiac evaluation, including angiography, to confirm the need and plan the procedure.
- Review of current medications; you may be asked to adjust blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel) as directed.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure, typically overnight.
- Informed consent process discussing the procedure, benefits, and potential risks.
- Pre-operative tests such as blood work, ECG, and possibly an echocardiogram.
- Arranging for transportation home post-procedure, as you will not be able to drive.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site (groin or wrist).
- Damage to the coronary artery, including dissection (tear) or perforation.
- Blood clot formation, which could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats) during or after the procedure.
- Contrast dye allergy or kidney issues related to dye use.
- Restenosis (re-narrowing) of the treated artery over time.
- Rarely, emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may be needed.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial monitoring in a recovery area for several hours to check vital signs and the insertion site.
- You will need to lie flat for a few hours if the groin was used for access to prevent bleeding.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye from your system.
- Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and driving for at least 24-48 hours or as advised.
- Take prescribed medications, especially antiplatelets (like aspirin and clopidogrel), exactly as directed to prevent clots.
- Attend all follow-up appointments with your cardiologist to monitor recovery and heart health.
- Report any signs of infection, increased pain, swelling at the insertion site, chest pain, or shortness of breath immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering coronary atherectomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for coronary atherectomy in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform coronary atherectomy. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for coronary atherectomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Coronary Atherectomy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing coronary atherectomy.
Angel Verma, a 64-year-old former school...
Angel Verma, a 64-year-old former school teacher with diabetes, experienced unusual fatigue and jaw pain instead of classic chest pain. Despite optimal medication, her symptoms persisted, and a stress test was concerning. An angiogram revealed a long, severely calcified lesion in her right coronary artery. Her cardiologist gently explained that due to the artery's hardness and her diabetes, a coronary atherectomy (using a rotational approach) was necessary to ensure a successful and durable stent placement. Fearful of complications, Angel, a devout woman, found strength in prayer and her family's support. The procedure went smoothly, and she was comforted by the team's reassurance. After a monitored 48-hour stay, she was discharged. Her recovery was gradual but steady; the debilitating fatigue lifted. Emotionally, her journey was from silent anxiety and feeling like a 'complicated patient' to immense relief and peace, allowing her to fully enjoy her retirement and grandchildren.
Cardiologists for Coronary Atherectomy
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform coronary atherectomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 55 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala