Atherectomy is a new, experimental procedure that is currently being evaluated to determine its effectiveness. It removes the fatty deposits that sometimes block coronary arteries. A tiny rotating knife inside a catheter is moved to the arterial obstruction. A balloon is inflated to position the knife precisely on the fatty deposit. Then the knife's power is turned on and it gently shaves the fatty deposit off the wall of the artery. The shavings are collected in the catheter and removed when it is withdrawn from the body. The result of the atherectomy is a significant improvement in blood flow through the coronary artery. Complete removal of the fatty deposit leaves a much smoother artery wall and greatly reduces the chance that a fatty deposit will form again in the same place. If you have additional questions about atherectomy, please talk to your physician.