Rotational Atherectomy Combined With Cutting Balloon to Optimize Stent Expansion in Calcified Lesions

Rotational atherectomy is an established tool to treat blocked arteries in the heart, in which the blockage is due to significant amounts of calcified material. In rotational atherectomy, a rotating instrument is used to break up the calcification before a stent is placed and helps restore blood flow to the heart. However, severely calcified regions are difficult to treat and even after treatment arteries can re-clog and major cardiac events occur. This study will test if rotational atherectomy with the addition of a cutting balloon - a balloon with microsurgical blades on its outer surface which make longitudinal incisions in the calcified area in order to open resistant clogs - will result in increased blood vessel lumen, more optimal stent expansion and decreased cardiac problems compared to current standard treatment.