Cutting Balloon
The cutting balloon is another tool our cardiologist's use to treat coronary artery disease, clearing away obstructions that block the vessels. The cutting balloon is similar to angioplasty but the cutting balloon uses tiny blades to open difficult blockages of plaque in the arteries. Plaque is a fatty substance that clogs arteries.

The cutting balloon improves upon angioplasty technology by adding microblades to the balloon to actually cut into the plaque. The tiny blades - .005 inches thick - are not as wide as the depth of the plaque deposits and so do not cut artery walls. As inflation continues, the blades actually cut into the plaque instead of just pushing it it against the vessel walls. This new procedure has some benefits that are believed to reduce the need for repeat angioplasty for restenosis.

• Cutting balloon minimizes vessel wall trauma usually associated with traditional balloon angioplasties
• Cutting balloon provides controlled dilatation of the balloon and helps assure reliable balloon sizing and performance.