A catheter system (100) includes an energy source (124), a catheter shaft (110), a balloon (104), a plurality of energy guides (122A), a plurality of emitters (135), and a system controller (126). The energy source (124) generates energy. The balloon (104) is coupled to the catheter shaft (110). The balloon (104) includes a balloon wall (130) that defines a balloon interior (146) that retains a catheter fluid (132). The energy guides (122A) selectively receive energy from the energy source (124). The emitters (135) are positioned within the balloon interior (146). Each emitter (135) includes a guide distal end (122D) of one of the energy guides (122A) and a corresponding plasma generator (133) that is spaced apart from the guide distal end (122D). The energy received by each of the energy guides (122A) is emitted from the guide distal end (122D) and impinges on the corresponding plasma generator (133) so that plasma is generated in the catheter fluid (132) within the balloon interior (146). The system controller (126) controls the energy source (124) so that energy from the energy source (124) is alternatively directed to each of the energy guides (122A) in a first pattern of firing and a second pattern of firing that is different than the first pattern of firing.