title: Excimer laser ablation before autoperfusion balloon inflation: a novel therapeutic approach to high grade stenoses in vessels supplying substantial myocardium at risk.
abstract: The utility of a novel approach employing excimer laser ablation to form a channel for subsequent autoperfusion balloon angioplasty is presented. Two important advantages of this strategy are highlighted: (1) applicability to severe stenoses in vessels supplying substantial myocardium at risk and (2) ability to allow prolonged inflation time to minimize procedure related ischemia and optimize revascularization of the heart. We prospectively selected and studied five patients and performed excimer laser coronary angioplasty using either a 1.3 mm or 1.6 mm laser catheter followed by autoperfusion balloon dilatation. Procedural success was documented by a significant reduction in mean percent diameter stenosis from 89 +/- 4% (S.D.) to 53 +/- 4% after laser angioplasty (p < 0.0001) and subsequently to 20 +/- 4% after autoperfusion balloon angioplasty (p < 0.0001). Clinical success was attained and characterized by resolution of anginal symptoms for at least 4 weeks after hospital discharge. There were no major acute complications encountered; however, restenosis has occurred in 2 out of 5 patients. We therefore recommend this novel pre-dilation strategy with excimer laser followed by autoperfusion balloon angioplasty in selected patients with an extensive amount of myocardium at risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Schaer
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Parrillo
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017222:Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged