Coronary atherectomy is a procedure that is done to open a narrowed coronary artery to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. The procedure removes fat and calcium buildup (plaque) in an artery. It is done as part of a coronary angioplasty procedure.

During an atherectomy, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through an artery in the groin or wrist and carefully guided into the coronary artery that is narrowed. When the tube reaches the narrowed portion of the artery, the doctor uses a special cutting device to remove the plaque buildup from the artery wall.