Comparison of early and recent results with rotational atherectomy

We compared an early registry of rotational atherectomy with a recent registry to examine the evolution of patient profiles, lesion characteristics and procedural outcomes for patients treated with rotational atherectomy.

With increased experience, the selection of patients and lesions treated with a device matures. This study documents the changes in the application of rotational atherectomy.

The patient characteristics and procedural outcomes from two multicenter patient registries-Registry I: 2,953 procedures, 3,717 lesions from 1988 to 1993; and Registry II: 200 procedures, 268 lesions from 1994-were analyzed and compared.

There was an increase in the average age of the patients (63 vs. 65 years, p < 0.02) and the proportion of patients with unstable angina (42.9% vs. 56.5%, p < 0.01) or previous coronary artery bypass graft surgery (18.8% vs. 24.5%, p < 0.05) in Registry II. Registry II included fewer left anterior descending coronary lesions (46.5% vs. 32.8%, p < 0.01), more type B and C lesions (83.1% vs. 91.8%, p < 0.01), more eccentric lesions (69.0% vs. 79.5%, p < 0.01) and more calcified lesions (50.3% vs. 69.4%, p < 0.01). Complications, including urgent bypass surgery, Q and non-Q wave myocardial infarction, dissection, acute occlusion and perforation, were similar in the two groups. However, mortality increased from 1.0% to 3.0% (p < 0.05) in Registry II.

Comparison of recent and early patients treated with rotational atherectomy revealed an increase in the complexity of patients and lesions. Although the rate of death was increased, the overall rate of major complications was not significantly changed (4.7% vs. 6.0%, p = NS).