Laser Atherectomy Versus Angioplasty for the Treatment of Critical Limb Ischemia

With angioplasty, a catheter is guided to the portion of the artery that is narrowed or blocked off. A balloon that is attached to the end of the catheter will be inflated which dilates or expands the artery in the area where the narrowing or blockage is located. Based on the angiogram and extent of disease, the physician may place a stent (small mesh tube that is used to treat narrow or weak arteries in the body) during the angioplasty.

Laser atherectomy uses a catheter that emits high energy light (laser) to unblock the artery. The catheter is moved through the artery until it reaches the blockage. Laser energy is used to essentially vaporize the blockage inside the vessel.