title: Specific indications for directional coronary atherectomy: origin left anterior descending coronary artery and bifurcation lesions.
abstract: Directional coronary atherectomy is emerging as the treatment of choice for many patients with significant lesions involving left anterior descending coronary artery origin or vessel bifurcations. It offers the potential advantages of safe, reliable, and predictable treatment of these selected complex lesions. Future modifications and improvements in the design of the atherectomy device (AtheroCath; Devices for Vascular Intervention, Redwood City, CA) may further expand its application to smaller and calcified vessels.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan 48073.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Safian
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schreiber
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Baim
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017225:Atherectomy, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence