Initial experience and results with a new atherectomy catheter

This paper reports on the Bard rotary atherectomy system (BRAS), a new device for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. A motor-driven (1,500 rpm maximum) 9-F catheter with cutting edge is passed over an augerlike wire with soft tip. Material that is by the catheter accumulates on the wire, which is removed. In limited experience in long superficial femoral artery and popliteal occlusions stenoses, BRAS has been safe and effective, although limited by catheter size to a maximum lumen of 3 mm (9F). Repeated passages can be made with treatment of long segments. No perforations, thromboses, or distal embolizations have been encountered. Adjunctive, focal percutaneous transluminal angiography and systemic antiocoagulation for 48 hours are routine