Atherectomy Alternatives

Several tests are available to check for possible
 heart disease. However, if blockage in your coronary arteries is expected, the atherectomy alternatives include:
 
Heart medication can help your heart function better and dilate heart blood vessels, but it cannot make blockages formed by plaque deposits go away.
 
Bypass surgery is a major surgical procedure requiring general anesthesia. During bypass surgery, a damaged artery in your heart is replaced with a healthy blood vessel from another area of the body or with an artificial graft to provide a pathway for blood flow.
 
Despite your doctor's recommendations, if you decide against balloon angioplasty, an atherectomy, and/or a stent, you should discuss your choice with your doctor.
 
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD