Atherectomy in
Pearland & Lake Jackson, TX
Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes plaque from inside an artery to restore healthy blood flow — most commonly for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and tough, calcified blockages that other treatments may not open well.
Minimally Invasive
No Large Incisions
Local Anesthesia
Often Same-Day Discharge
1–2 hrs
Typical Procedure Time
Tiny Puncture
No Large Incisions
Same Day
Most Patients Go Home
Same Day
Return to Normal Activity
Overview
What Is Atherectomy?
In plain terms, atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes or reduces plaque buildup from inside an artery. Plaque — a mixture of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances — narrows the artery and restricts blood flow. By clearing that blockage, atherectomy helps restore normal circulation. It is performed through a small needle puncture rather than a large incision.
Atherectomy is especially useful when the plaque is hard, dense, or calcified — the kind of blockage that balloons and stents alone may not fully open. Using X-ray imaging and contrast dye, Dr. Ayar guides a specialized device to the plaque and removes it precisely. The artery is then usually widened with angioplasty and, if needed, supported with a stent for the best result.
Atherectomy is rarely used all on its own. It usually works as part of a team — it removes the plaque, angioplasty opens the artery, and a stent helps hold it open when needed.
WHY PATIENTS CHOOSE COASTAL VASCULAR
A Physician-Owned Practice, Not a Corporate Chain
Dr. Ayar Handles Your Care
Dr. Ayar personally does every consultation and procedure. You will not be handed off to a PA or NP, as at most vein centers.
Two Locations, One Physician
Many vein clinics have many locations and few doctors. At our Pearland and Lake Jackson offices, you always see Dr. Ayar.
Physician-Owned
Coastal Vascular Center is physician-owned, not corporately owned. Your care is guided by your doctor.
Most Insurance Accepted
We accept most insurance plans. Call our office to confirm your coverage before your visit.
The Procedure
How Is Atherectomy Performed?
Many patients feel more at ease once they understand each step. Here is what happens during an atherectomy at Coastal Vascular Center — from the first tiny puncture to restored blood flow.
Access & Numbing
The procedure begins with a tiny needle puncture — usually in the groin or arm. Local anesthesia numbs the access site so you stay comfortable, and most patients remain awake with light sedation.
Imaging & Guidance
A thin, flexible catheter with the atherectomy device at its tip is threaded through the blood vessel. Contrast dye and X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) are used to see the arteries clearly and steer the device precisely to the plaque.
Removing The Plaque
The device shaves, sands, or vaporizes the plaque inside the artery — depending on the device type. This clears the blockage so blood can flow more freely. You may feel brief pressure or mild discomfort at this moment.
Finishing Up
In most cases the artery is then widened with angioplasty and, if needed, supported with a stent. The equipment is withdrawn, blood flow is restored, and the whole visit — prep, procedure, and recovery monitoring — usually takes a few hours.
Once the plaque is removed and the artery is opened, blood flows more freely. The whole visit — prep, procedure, and a recovery monitoring period — typically takes a few hours, and most patients go home the same day.
What We Treat
Why Is Angioplasty Performed?
Angioplasty is used to treat a range of conditions. In our practice, the focus is on the arterial problems that affect the legs, feet, and circulation — here are the ones Dr. Ayar most commonly addresses.
Directional
A catheter’s cutting device is guided to the plaque and shaves it away. Best for the targeted removal of softer plaque in a focused area.
Rotational
A fast-spinning tip called a “burr” grinds hard plaque into tiny particles. Best for hard or heavily calcified blockages.
Orbital
A device spins and sands plaque away as it orbits. Best for eccentric or very hard plaque that is stubborn to treat.
Laser
Uses laser energy to vaporize plaque inside the artery. Best for complex or mixed plaque that other devices may not clear.
Know the Difference
Atherectomy vs Angioplasty vs Stent: What's the Difference?
These three treatments are often used together, but they are not the same. Understanding how each one works helps you follow why your specialist recommends a particular combination.
Atherectomy: removes or reduces the plaque inside the artery.
Angioplasty: uses a balloon to widen the narrowed artery by pressing plaque against the wall.
Stent procedure: places a small mesh tube to help keep the artery open long-term.
In some cases, atherectomy is used first to address hard plaque, followed by angioplasty and/or a stent to optimize blood flow. It is a coordinated approach, not a competition.
What We Treat
Conditions Treated with Atherectomy
Atherectomy is used to treat a range of conditions. In our practice, the focus is on the arterial problems that affect the legs, feet, and circulation — here are the ones Dr. Ayar most commonly addresses.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
The most common reason we perform atherectomy in the leg. When fatty, calcified plaque narrows the leg arteries, removing that plaque restores the blood flow your legs and feet need to stay healthy.
Claudication
Leg pain, cramping, or heaviness that comes on with walking and eases with rest — often the first clear sign of PAD. Clearing the blockage can improve how far and how comfortably you can walk.
Rest Pain & Critical Limb Ischemia
Severe foot or toe pain at rest or at night means the leg is not getting enough blood. In cases like this, restoring circulation quickly helps relieve pain and protect the limb from amputation.
Arterial Ulcers & Slow-Healing Wounds
Wounds on the feet or toes that will not heal are usually starved of blood flow. Restoring circulation gives those wounds the blood supply they need to finally close.
Severe PAD & Gangrene
In the most advanced cases, blocked flow can lead to tissue death. Re-opening the artery is often a critical step in stopping progression and attempting limb salvage.
Dialysis Fistulas & Other Vessels
Atherectomy is also used to keep dialysis access flowing and, in select cases, to treat narrowed veins and other complex, calcified blockages. Dr. Ayar reviews each case to decide the right approach.
Take the first step toward better vascular health — schedule your consultation with Coastal Vascular Center today.
Benefits
The Benefits of Angioplasty
Angioplasty offers several advantages over traditional open surgery — the main goal is straightforward: restore blood flow to arteries that were narrowed or blocked so you feel better and your risk of serious complications goes down.
Moderate & Calcified Plaque
Atherectomy is especially valuable when plaque is hard, dense, or calcified — the blockages that balloons and stents alone may not open well.
Restores Blood Flow
The core goal: removing the blockage so oxygen-rich blood reaches the legs, feet, and organs again.
Improves Walking & Comfort
For patients with claudication, restoring circulation can mean walking farther with less pain, cramping, and fatigue.
Prepares The Artery
Clearing plaque first can help angioplasty and stenting work better by creating a smoother, more open vessel.
Can Reduce Stenting Need
In some patients, removing plaque so effectively reduces the need for a permanent stent or lowers the chance of it being used at all.
Minimally Invasive
No large incisions or open bypass surgery — the procedure is performed through a tiny puncture, often with a short recovery.
What to Expect
Before, During, and After
Knowing what the day looks like — and what recovery involves — helps most patients feel confident and prepared.
Before Your Procedure
A consultation and vascular imaging — such as an ABI (ankle-brachial index) and duplex ultrasound — to map the blockage and confirm atherectomy is the right step.
Review your medical history and medications, including blood thinners, and tell us about any bleeding disorders or allergies — especially to contrast dye.
You will usually be asked to avoid food and drink for a period before the procedure, and a companion should be available to drive you home.
During the Procedure
You will usually be asked to avoid food and drink for a period before the procedure, and a companion should be available to drive you home.
The device removes the plaque, and the artery is then typically widened with angioplasty and, if needed, supported with a stent.
The procedure commonly takes about one to two hours, though it varies with how many arteries are treated and how complex the plaque is.
After the Procedure
You recover under monitoring for a short time — many patients go home the same day, though some stay overnight for observation.
The access site may be bruised and sore for a few days; you may need to lie flat for a few hours right after the procedure.
Medications may be prescribed, and follow-up visits plus lifestyle changes — like quitting smoking — help protect the long-term result.
Risks to Know
Bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site.
Blood vessel injury from the device or catheter.
Blood clot formation or, rarely, infection at the access site.
Allergic reaction to contrast dye, and re-narrowing of the artery over time (restenosis).
Candidacy
Am I a Candidate for Atherectomy?
Atherectomy is not the right fit for everyone with PAD, and it is not always the best option. Dr. Ayar considers the location, severity, and composition of the plaque — along with your symptoms and overall health — before recommending it. That is why every plan at Coastal Vascular Center starts with imaging and a conversation, not a procedure.
You may be a good candidate if you have:
Symptoms of PAD such as claudication or rest pain
Imaging that shows tough or calcified plaque
Blockages that have not responded well to balloon angioplasty alone
A blockage confirmed on vascular imaging
Slow-healing foot or leg wounds tied to poor circulation
Overall health that supports a minimally invasive procedure
Note: some blockages are better treated with medication and lifestyle changes alone, while others may need a different or combined approach. Not sure? That's common — a focused evaluation clarifies whether atherectomy is appropriate or whether another approach is safer and more effective.
Local Care
Why Patients Choose Coastal Vascular Center
Choosing the right vascular team matters — especially when symptoms affect your mobility and quality of life. Coastal Vascular Center is a specialty vascular practice, and artery care is what we do every day. We offer specialist evaluation focused on PAD and complex plaque, minimally invasive options when angioplasty or stenting alone may not be enough, imaging-guided treatment planning, and follow-up care focused on long-term circulation and risk reduction. Dr. Ayar performs atherectomy at both our Pearland and Lake Jackson locations, so patients throughout the Gulf Coast region have access to expert care without the logistics of a large hospital setting.
Pearland Office
Lake Jackson Office
Pearland
Lake Jackson
Angleton
Clute
Freeport
Alvin
Clear Lake
Friendswood
Brazoria County
Greater Houston
More From Our Practice
Other Services We Offer
Vein Procedures
Varicose Veins
Spider Veins
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Leg Swelling
Leg Ulcers
Leg Discoloration
Arterial Care
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Claudication
Rest Pain
Arterial Ulcers
Gangrene
Specialty Treatments
Dialysis Access Management
Uterine Fibroid Embolization
FAQS
Atherectomy FAQs
Answers to common questions about atherectomy for patients in Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the greater Houston area.
What is an atherectomy?
How long does an atherectomy procedure take?
Is atherectomy painful?
How soon can I walk after atherectomy?
Is atherectomy the same as angioplasty?
Will I be awake during the procedure, and does it hurt?
What are the risks of atherectomy?
Does atherectomy remove plaque permanently, and will I still need a stent?
Expert Care
Have Questions? Let's Talk.
If you have PAD or are experiencing symptoms like leg pain with walking, cold or numb feet, or slow-healing wounds, don't wait. Contact Coastal Vascular Center today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ayar and discuss whether atherectomy is right for you.
Call us now to learn more and book your appointment
Let’s walk this journey to wellness together.
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