1. Before starting laser angioplasty, the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and diabetes are controlled.
2. The patient is sedated by applying local anesthesia to the skin of the groin or arm to prevent pain.
3. A puncture is made in a major blood vessel in the groin or arm with a thick needle.
4. A guide catheter (narrow, flexible and long tube) is inserted through the hole.
5. The tip of the guide catheter is inserted into the atheroma segment of the coronary artery.
6. A laser catheter is passed through the guide catheter.
7. Dye is injected into the catheter to mark areas of arterial plaque. This method is called fluoroscopy. The dye helps monitor whether the catheter has reached the precise location. It is monitored by X-ray monitor.
8. After reaching the plaque-laden part of the artery, the laser beam destroys the plaque layer by layer. Destroyed plaque evaporates.
9. As a result, blood circulation becomes normal.