A tissue-removing catheter includes a tissue-removing element operably connected to a drive shaft for rotation of the tissue-removing element about an axis of rotation in a cutting direction. The tissue-removing element is, in some embodiments, an integrally formed one-piece body. The tissue-removing element has a tissue-removing head that includes a plurality of shearing members spaced apart around the axis of rotation. Channels separate the plurality of shearing members and extend through the radially outer surface of the tissue-removing head. In some embodiments, the shearing members include respective wedge portions that hook and cleave tissue as the tissue-removing element rotates.
