Aterotomia percutanea carotidea ovvero “Cutting Balloon Angioplasty” Esperienza Iniziale

The cutting balloon (CB) was designed specifically to reduce the trauma on the vessel wall and plaque which is a feature of conventional balloon angioplasty. The device has stainless steel blades fitted along the surface of its balloon. The concept behind the device is that when inflated the blades create a point of reduced resistance, minimizing dissection in the plaque or media, and avoiding trauma to the plaque and elastic recoil. This reduces inadequate dilatation, acute occlusion and long-term excessive smooth cell proliferation. CB has been used with good effects as a pre-dilatation device in heavily-calcified lesions and refractory in-stent stenosis. We describe the use of CB in four cases of peculiar stenosis of the internal carotid artery.