Pathophysiological insights from studies of retrieved coronary atherectomy tissue

Coronary atherectomy offers the intuitive advantage of removing tissue mass in order to improve blood flow. A second major benefit of atherectomy is the opportunity to study lesion tissue and make pathophysiological insights. The value of the latter cannot be over emphasized, as current animal models for the study of atherosclerosis and restenosis are fraught with limitations. In this review, we outline some of the key descriptive findings that have emerged from the study of atherectomy specimens. Specifically, we will focus on the role of smooth muscle cell proliferation, thrombus organization and matrix formation in primary atherosclerotic lesions, as well as restenotic lesions after balloon angioplasty and stenting.