Laser catheters are saving hearts and limbs

Anthony Cedrone, MD
CTMC Interventional Cardiologist

Central Texas Medical Center recently acquired laser artherectomy, or laser catheter, equipment to help pulverize plaque in blocked arteries. The laser catheter is a very important tool that gives cardiologists the ability to treat the most severe cases by making stents and balloons more deliverable.

Laser cath procedures are proving to be beneficial to patients in the long term. Clinical data shows a reduced incidence of re-blockage after a laser procedure.

In addition to saving hearts, laser artherectomy is being used to restore blood flow to limbs. Many of the patients who benefit from these procedures are diabetic with non-healing ulcers. Because the nature of diabetes is very complicated, the laser allows us to reach places that would not be possible otherwise.