Clinical experience with rotational atherectomy in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of rotational atherectomy (RA) in patients with severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.

RA, using a rotating diamond-crystal burr, is most commonly used to open lesions with severe calcification or diffuse disease that may prove difficult to cross or dilate. However, RA generates microparticular debris that may attenuate the coronary microcirculation, inducing transient myocardial stunning and LV dysfunction. In fact, the manufacturer does not support RA use in patients with severe LV dysfunction.

We retrospectively identified patients with a LV ejection fraction < 30% who underwent RA in our institution over a 4-year period. The medical records were reviewed and risk factors for cardiac disease were recorded. The procedural reports and subsequent hospitalization records were reviewed to identify predetermined positive and negative outcomes.

Twenty-three patients (17 males) who underwent RA with severe LV dysfunction (mean LVEF 21.3%) were identified. The majority of these patients had multivessel coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and/or tobacco use. Also, a substantial subset had diabetes, renal insufficiency and or in-stent restenosis. RA was 100% successful in opening the lesions without any in-hospital procedure-related mortality. Three patients experienced periprocedural myocardial infarctions. One patient died from malignancy during hospitalization. There were no major adverse cardiac events at 30 days.

The transient effect of RA on ventricular function did not adversely affect short-term outcomes in our study population. These results suggest that RA, when performed by experienced operators, is safe and feasible in patients with severe LV dysfunction.