Advanced
Technical
IVT
cutting balloon
A specialized angioplasty balloon with mounted microsurgical blades for treating resistant lesions.
Full Definition
A cutting balloon is a specialized angioplasty device that features three or four longitudinal microsurgical blades (atherotomes) mounted on a conventional balloon catheter. When inflated, the blades create controlled longitudinal incisions in atherosclerotic plaque and arterial wall, allowing lower pressure dilation and reducing the risk of arterial dissection. This technology is particularly useful for resistant lesions, in-stent restenosis, and heavily calcified plaques that are difficult to dilate with conventional balloons.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier: 'cutting-balloon technique.'
In Context
- "The cutting balloon successfully dilated the heavily calcified LAD lesion at low pressure." — Procedure report
- "Cutting balloon angioplasty reduces the risk of flow-limiting dissections in fibrotic lesions." — Technical review
Also known as
atherotomy balloon
blade balloon
Don't confuse with
scoring balloon
drug-coated balloon