How is endovascular cryoplasty done?
• Cryoplasty is done with a balloon-tipped catheter device and nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The device has three layers with two balloons (inner and outer). The inner balloon holds the gas and has pressure inside it. The outer balloon part expands. Between the balloons is a layer that covers the inner balloon. The middle layer serves as a marker that helps the inner balloon show up in an x-ray. • During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into a large blood vessel at the top of your leg. It is then gently moved down into the clogged area of the artery. This is done using a special type of x-ray, called fluoroscopy. The inner balloon is filled with liquid nitrous oxide that turns into gas when it enters the balloon. The gas causes the outer balloon to slowly dilate (expand) and then cool. After the procedure is done, the catheter is pulled back out of the artery.
