[Experiences with rotation atherotomy and atherectomy]

In addition to currently available, low risk procedures for reestablishment of patency in arteriosclerotic vascular segments with bougier techniques as described by Dotter and the balloon dilatation modification according to Grüntzig, as necessary together with local thrombolysis, important new developments based on mechanical principles are the atherectomy according to Simpson as well as the rotation atherotomy with a flexible catheter and slowly rotating milling head or rapidly rotating head as used by Kensey. To provide a larger lumen of recanalization, we developed an atherotomy lathing catheter with a rapidly rotating head and various diameters which is now available for intraoperative use. The thrombendarterectomy as described by Vollmar with the "ring stripper" is used only intraoperatively and can only be performed retrograde. The effect of laser systems encompasses disintegration and ablation of occlusive material. The rotation atherotomy is based on the capability of discrimination between hard occlusive material and elastic vascular wall through suitable construction of the lathe head (Figures 1 a to 1 e). Since, in passive catheters, the capability of lathing at the tip is associated with a high risk of perforation and a lateral possibility for lathing is not achievable, the lathing performance should be small, at the center of rotation and orthogonal to the axis of rotation at the outer radius. Through combination with a spherical disc face perpendicular to the axis of rotation, which protrudes only slightly from the hemispherical catheter tip, with a maximum at the center and minimum at the lateral borders, the lathing head has only a slight risk of perforation and no undesired sheering forces (Figures 2a to 2d).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)