Coronary Atherectomy is a procedure where the cardiologist uses a catheter with a cutting device, such as a excimer laser or rotoblator, to shave the plaque accumulation in the artery and open the blockage. Because there is still plaque after this procedure, the doctor inserts a balloon catheter to compress the remaining plaque against the artery wall (angioplasty procedure).There are several variants on the atherectomy procedure due to the type of cutting device that is at the tip of the catheter.