Stuck rotablator: the nightmare of rotational atherectomy

Rotational atherectomy (RA) is frequently performed to modify complex fibrocalcific coronary lesions with high procedural success. A stuck rotablator is a rare but life-threatening complication. However, its description remains sporadic and it has never been systematically analysed. The aim of this analysis is to present our experience and summarise the available literature about stuck rotablator, and to identify risk factors and possible management strategies for this complication.

We analysed our experience of 442 RA procedures and identified four cases of stuck rotablator. Two of these cases were rotablations in freshly implanted stents. All cases were managed percutaneously. We further analysed the available literature and identified a total of 11 reports with 14 cases of a stuck rotablator burr; seven were managed surgically and seven with endovascular approaches. Based on our experience and the literature review we developed an algorithm to guide operators while managing this complication.

Entrapment of a rotablation burr is a rare but very serious complication of RA. Operators performing RA should be aware of this risk and be prepared to manage it adequately. In our experience, the risk seems to be higher when rotablating freshly implanted underexpanded stents.