title: The role of atherectomy in the treatment of lower extremity peripheral artery disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (LE-PAD) continues to increase and associated morbidity remains high. Despite the significant development of percutaneous revascularization strategies, over the past decade, LE-PAD still represents a unique challenge for interventional cardiologists and vascular surgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Typical features of atherosclerosis that affects peripheral vascular bed (diffuse nature, poor distal runoff, critical limb ischemia, chronic total occlusion) contribute to the disappointing results of traditional percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). New technologies have been developed in attempt to improve the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous revascularization. Among these, atherectomy, debulking and removing atherosclerotic plaque, offers the potential advantage of eliminating stretch on arterial walls and reducing rates of restenosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review summarizes the features and the current applications of new debulking devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences, Federico II University, Via S, Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzone
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carotenuto
authors.forename: Andreina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scudiero
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serino
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scudiero
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piccolo
authors.forename: Savio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saviano
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perrino
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trimarco
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D017073:Atherectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome