The laser light breaks down the plaque into essential proteins, gasses, free radicals, etc., a process called ablation. This procedure is often followed by a balloon angioplasty, to smooth out the artery walls, as well as the placement of a stent. Laser angioplasty can also be used in peripheral arteries, such as legs, arms and kidneys. In a regular balloon angioplasty, a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is introduced through an artery in the groin and passed into the narrowed part of a blocked coronary artery. The balloon is inflated and the narrowed artery is widened by compressing the plaque against the artery walls.
Blood flow is restored through the artery.
The cutting balloon also uses a balloon to open arteries, but this balloon has micro blades attached to it. As the balloon is inflated, these blades shave away plaque. This procedure has been shown to cut the rate of restenosis in half. The procedure is very quick, and it also handles small vessels really well, so it's a good procedure for women. This procedure, not yet approved by the FDA, is in the final stages of clinical trials.