Utility of rotational atherectomy and outcomes over an eight-year period

To evaluate outcomes of patients undergoing rotational atherectomy (RA) in a multicenter percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) registry.

RA remains an important technique for plaque modification in PCI, particularly with complex calcification.

The study population consisted of consecutive patients undergoing PCI in nine major Australian hospitals, who were treated over an 8-year period (June 2004 to June 2012).

Of 16,577 PCI's, 1.0% of patients n = 167 (214 lesions) underwent RA. Patients undergoing RA were more likely to be older (71.0 ± 9.7 vs. 64.4 ±11.9 years, P < 0.01), with greater incidence of diabetes (37.7% vs. 23.8%, P < 0.01) and renal impairment. There was no significant difference in procedural success (94.6% vs. 95.5%, P = 0.57), dissection (6.1% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.39), transient no reflow (4.4% vs. 2.8%, P = 0.23), or persistent no reflow (0% RA vs. 0.7% non-RA, P = 0.23). Those undergoing RA had a low but increased risk of death at 12 months (6.6 vs. 3.6%, P = 0.04). There was no significant difference in 12 month major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE) between groups following adjustment for univariate predictors (OR 1.00, 95%CI; 0.93-1.08). Additionally, there was no significant difference in 30-day MACE (6.0% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.62) or 30-day mortality (2.4% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.54) between groups.

In this large multicenter registry, RA continues to be used to treat complex lesions with low procedural complications and MACE rates. It is essential for interventional cardiologists to maintain skills in RA to enable effective percutaneous treatment of certain complex lesions.