Laser atherectomy is a minimally invasive catheter procedure that removes or breaks down plaque that narrows an artery in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). It can help restore blood flow when a blockage limits circulation, especially in the legs.
Laser atherectomy is one of several vascular diagnostic tests and treatments offered at Suffolk Vascular & Vein Center. The practice has treated arterial disease for 25 years and performs office-based vascular procedures in accredited outpatient interventional suites in Port Jefferson Station, Hauppauge, and Riverhead, NY. Robert M. Pollina, MD, FACS, and Volodymyr Labinskyy, MD, are board-certified vascular surgeons, while Doreen Delaney, PA-C, completed a postgraduate surgical residency for physician assistants.
How Does Laser Atherectomy Work?
Your vascular specialist advances a thin catheter through an artery to the narrowed or blocked area. Laser energy travels through the catheter and breaks down plaque, creating more room for blood to move through the artery. Imaging may guide the catheter. Local anesthesia and sedation are commonly used, and many people return home later the same day.
When Can Laser Atherectomy Be Used for PAD?
Not every PAD blockage needs atherectomy. The treatment plan depends on your symptoms, the location and length of the blockage, plaque characteristics, previous vascular procedures, and your general health. Atherectomy can also be paired with angioplasty or stenting when additional widening or support is needed. Because PAD is most often caused by atherosclerosis, treating one narrowed segment doesn’t eliminate the underlying tendency for plaque to build up elsewhere in the arteries.
What Is Recovery Like After Laser Atherectomy?
After the procedure, our staff will monitor you for bleeding at the catheter site and changes in circulation. Many people go home the same day, though activity limits depend on the procedure and access site. Your vascular team will give you medication and wound-care instructions before you leave. Most people can return to usual activities within a few days, based on their clinician’s guidance.
Why Choose Suffolk Vascular & Vein Center for Laser Atherectomy in Suffolk County and Long Island, NY?
The team’s experience spans catheter-based and open vascular care, which is useful when comparing atherectomy with angioplasty, stenting, bypass surgery, and other options. Dr. Pollina is skilled in endovascular reconstruction, angioplasty, and stenting. Dr. Labinskyy has 15 years of vascular surgery experience, including limb-salvage and wound care, while Doreen Delaney, PA-C, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and specializes in peripheral vascular disease treatment.
Office-based procedures take place in accredited outpatient interventional suites, with an anesthesia care team providing sedation. This setting allows selected vascular procedures to be completed outside a hospital while keeping specialty vascular and anesthesia care close at hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laser atherectomy breaks down plaque inside the artery. Angioplasty uses an inflatable balloon to widen a narrowed section. The two techniques can be used together, and a stent may also be placed if the artery needs added support.
Yes. A vascular surgeon may use laser atherectomy first to reduce plaque, then use angioplasty or a stent to improve the artery’s opening. The combination depends on the blockage and what the surgeon sees during treatment.
Laser atherectomy generally takes one to two hours, depending on the number, location, and complexity of the blockages. You’ll also need time before and after the procedure for preparation, monitoring, and recovery.
Yes. Laser atherectomy treats a specific narrowed or blocked artery, but it doesn’t cure atherosclerosis. New narrowing or restenosis can occur. Ongoing PAD care may include medication, activity, tobacco cessation, and management of cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes when applicable.
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Talk With Our Vascular Team About PAD Treatment
To learn if laser atherectomy fits your PAD care plan, contact us at Suffolk Vascular & Vein Center. We see patients in Port Jefferson Station, Hauppauge, and Riverhead, NY. Call 631-476-9100, 631-979-0222, or 631-591-9003 for the office nearest you.
