What is a Eximer Laser?

Eximer Laser angioplasty is a technique that opens coronary arteries blocked by plaque. Plaque is the build-up of cholesterol, cells and other fatty substances in an artery's inner lining.  The eximer laser actually burns off layers of hardened plaque that has built up over time on the inside walls of the arteries.

How the test is performed:
A thin, flexible plastic tube called a catheter with a laser at its tip is inserted into an artery. Then it's advanced through the artery to the blockage in the coronary artery. When the laser is in position, it emits pulsating beams of light.  It is this light that helps to burn away layers of plaque.

How to prepare for the test:
Food and fluid are restricted 6 to 8 hours before the test. The procedure takes place in a cath lab and you will be asked to wear a hospital gown. Sometimes, admission the night before the test is required. Otherwise, you will be admitted as an outpatient or an inpatient the morning of the procedure.

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to seafood, if you have had a bad reaction to contrast material in the past, if you are taking Viagra, or if you might be pregnant.

How the test will feel:
The study is carried out in a laboratory by a trained cardiologist or radiologist and technicians or nurses.

You will be awake and able to follow instructions during the catheterization. A mild sedative is usually given 30 minutes before the procedure to help you relax. The procedure may last from 1 to several hours.

You may feel some discomfort at the site where the IV is placed. Local anesthesia will be used to numb the site, so the only sensation should be one of pressure at the site. You may experience some discomfort from having to remain still for a long time.

After the test, the catheter is removed. You might feel a firm pressure at the insertion site, used to prevent bleeding. If the IV is placed in your groin, you will usually be asked to lie flat on your back for a few hours after the test to avoid bleeding. This may cause some mild back discomfort.