Episode # 9 • 14 Oct 2025
Coronary Atherectomy: Indications, Techniques, and Device Selection
What coronary device do you reach for when a blockage won’t budge? In this episode of the BackTable Cardiology Podcast, Dr. Wissam Jaber from Emory University Hospital joins host Dr. Hady Lichaa to discuss the intricacies of coronary atherectomy, outlining the differences between rotational and orbital atherectomy, their indications, and their technical nuances.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
04:39 - Use of Lasers in Atherectomy
07:12 - Determining Guide and Catheter Size
14:24 - Laser Contrast Mix
17:15 - Perforation Detection and Management
25:16 - Treating the Circumflex Ostium
32:17 - Using a Guide Extension Catheter with Atherectomy Devices
36:36 - Orbital Versus Rotational Atherectomy
47:21 - Navigating Tortuosity in Atherectomies
52:45 - Complications (Perforations, Dissections and Distal Embolizations)
Resources
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More about this episode
Dr. Jaber shares his experiences with both rotational and orbital atherectomy, when he uses which for specific lesion subsets, potential complications, and strategies to manage them. This episode provides essential insights for cardiologists seeking to enhance their proficiency in managing calcified coronary lesions.
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