Rotablation is a specialized procedure used to treat coronary artery disease, particularly in cases where arteries are heavily calcified and cannot be adequately treated with traditional balloon angioplasty. This minimally invasive technique involves the use of a high-speed, rotational catheter, which contains a diamond-coated burr that spins at high velocities. The burr is guided through the coronary artery and used to grind away hardened plaque and calcium deposits blocking the artery. This action helps to reduce the size of the blockage and smooth the artery, improving blood flow to the heart.
Rotablation is typically employed when other methods, such as balloon angioplasty, are less effective due to the presence of calcified plaques, which are resistant to traditional dilation techniques. It is particularly useful in complex coronary lesions, where the plaque is too dense to be easily compressed or dilated. After rotablation, the artery is often treated with balloon angioplasty or stenting to ensure it remains open and to prevent restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery).