atherectomy

[ ath-uh-rek-tuh-mee ]

noun

, plural ath·er·ec·to·mies.

1. the removal of plaque from an artery by means of a tiny rotating cutting blade inserted through a catheter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of atherectomy¹

ather(oma) + -ectomy

Example Sentences

The volume of one of these procedures, called the atherectomy, has more than doubled in the past decade, according to an analysis of Medicare payment data.

From New York Times

Typical treatments may include balloon angioplasty, the placement of stents or the removal of plaque with a bladed catheter, also known as an atherectomy.

From Salon

In one encounter, a doctor deployed 33 devices in one procedure — three atherectomy devices, nine stents and 21 balloons.

From Salon

"Atherectomy is important in certain settings. But it's being used in a way that is entirely inappropriate and it's largely driven by the incentive structure," said Dr. Caitlin Hicks, the lead author of the study and an associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

From Salon

At that point, more than 15 of their vascular devices had been used, including stents, balloons and those for atherectomy.

From Salon