UMHS Related Sites:
Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Services
University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center
Rotablator
(Rotational atherectomy)
Blockages in coronary artery arteries may develop build-up of calcium deposits that makes them as hard as concrete. In those cases, your doctor might chose to use the "rotablator" to treat the blockage. The rotablator works like a drill that can spin as fast as 200,000 rpm and can break the calcium build up in very small particles that are re-absorbed by the organism. A coronary stent is usually then inserted.
rotational atherectomy

Rotablator atherectomy followed by IVUS evaluation
![]() pre |
![]() 1.75 and 2.25 Burr |
![]() post |
![]() post IVUS |




