Abstract: An endarterectomy catheter for removing obstructions from an artery comprises a cylindrical housing, the housing having an opening across which a primary shear is movable. The primary shear is razor sharp and cylindrical and movable by means of a cable and trigger backward and forward within the housing to excise obstructions that protrude into the opening. A guide wire positions the catheter in an artery.The edge of the housing at the opening may be sharp to grip the obstruction and to assist in the cutting action of the primary shear. The shear is hollow and collects debris from the excised obstruction. Openings in the housing allow blood to pass through the body.A method of removing obstructions from an artery includes locating a housing in an artery with an obstruction protruding into an opening in the housing, moving a razor sharp cylindrical shear across the opening to excise the obstruction, encapsulating the excised obstruction in the housing, and removing the housing from the artery.