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Can hardened plaque be removed from arteries?

An atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque from an artery (blood vessel) and restore blood flow to the heart.

stanfordhealthcare.org - Atherectomy | Stanford Health Care

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What Is an Atherectomy?

An atherectomy is a procedure to remove plaque from an artery (blood vessel). Removing plaque makes the artery wider, so blood can flow more freely to the heart muscles. In an atherectomy, the plaque is shaved or vaporized away with tiny rotating blades or a laser on the end of a catheter (a thin, flexible tube). This procedure is used to treat peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease. An atherectomy is sometimes performed on patients with very hard plaque or on patients who have already had angioplasty and stents, but who still have plaque blocking the flow of blood.

What is plaque?

Plaque is the build up in arteries of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances. When plaque builds, it can block blood flow, or it can rupture, causing blood clots. This build up of plaque is called atherosclerosis. An atherectomy is a treatment for atherosclerosis.

How is an atherectomy performed?

The atherectomy procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab. Before an atherectomy, the patient receives sedatives to help him or her relax. Next, a catheter is gently inserted in an artery, usually in the groin or upper thigh area. It's then guided through the blood vessel toward the heart. When it's in place, dye is injected through the catheter and into the coronary arteries. An X-ray is taken to help the physician pinpoint the area that is blocked or narrowed. The physician then uses tiny blades or a laser, attached to the end of the catheter, to cut away or vaporize plaque. After the atherectomy, an angioplasty or stent procedure is sometimes performed. Once the treatment is complete, the catheter is removed. Most patients go home after about 24 hours. already had angioplasty and stents, but who still have plaque blocking the flow of blood.

Why choose Stanford Health Care for an atherectomy?

Stanford is a world leader in procedures to re-establish blood flow to the heart. We perform approximately 1,000 interventions per year and offer the latest breakthroughs in the treatment of coronary artery disease including coronary revascularization. We offer state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization using low-radiation, high-resolution digital equipment that maximizes both patient safety and image quality. Stanford's three catheterization labs perform more than 4,000 procedures annually.

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How do you soften hardened arteries?

He also says the following lifestyle changes can help slow progression: Losing weight. Quitting smoking. Exercising. Blood pressure testing. Diabetes control.

trihealth.com - Is it Possible to Reverse Hardening of the Arteries? - TriHealth

Steve Park MD , of the TriHealth Heart Institute , answers a Local 12 viewer question about hardening of the arteries and if it's possible to reverse it.

Hardening of the Arteries: What is It?

This condition, also known as atherosclerosis, is a common problem that occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques. "It's primarily cholesterol plaque that can calcify," Dr. Park tells Local 12's Liz Bonis.

Is it Possible to Reverse Hardening of the Arteries?

While it's technically not possible to reverse hardening of the arteries, Dr. Park says preliminary research shows that a complete vegan diet might reverse heart disease. Because a strict vegan diet is difficult to stick with, he suggests coupling lower-fat, Mediterranean-style eating with a medication to keep plaque from continuing to build. "There is some evidence that if you have high-dose statins, that there could be some regression of the plaque," he points out.

He also says the following lifestyle changes can help slow progression:

Losing weight

Quitting smoking

Exercising

Blood pressure testing

Diabetes control

Genetics also plays a role in determining if we will develop hardening of the arteries, so if this condition runs in your family, and you haven't experienced symptoms (like shortness of breath), he says to talk to your doctor about early screening.

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