title: Thermal laser-assisted balloon angioplasty of the superficial femoral artery: a multicenter review of 602 cases.
abstract: A multicenter review of 602 procedures was performed to evaluate the effects of thermal laser-assisted balloon angioplasty on the superficial femoral artery. Four hundred thirty-nine (73%) patients underwent laser-assisted balloon angioplasty for claudication, and 163 (27%) underwent the procedure for limb salvage. Two hundred ninety-two laser-assisted balloon angioplasty procedures were performed for multifocal stenotic disease (greater than 80%) diameter reduction), 258 for total occlusion, and 52 procedures for both superficial femoral artery stenosis and occlusion. The initial recanalization rate was 89% (538/602) depending on the length of the lesion. Success of laser-assisted balloon angioplasty was verified by angioscopy or arteriography, and all patients underwent segmental Doppler studies before discharge and during midterm follow-up extending to 30 months (mean, 11.3 months). Complications occurred in 62 (10%) patients, but only one limb amputation occurred because of a complication related to a laser-assisted balloon angioplasty. Overall, 60% of initially successful procedures have remained patent, but long segment (greater than 7 cm) occlusions have fared poorly (25% patency at 30 months). This minimally invasive technology affords the opportunity to treat short segment (less than 7 cm) symptomatic superficial femoral artery occlusive disease with minimal risk. Initial success and midterm patency rates for appropriate lesions appear to make laser-assisted balloon angioplasty a viable adjunct in the treatment of superficial femoral artery occlusive disease.
authors.affiliation: Georgia Baptist Medical Center, Atlanta.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Pesa
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Gottsegen
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Crew
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walsky
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Pallos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016342:Angioplasty, Laser / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002140:California; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005734:Gangrene / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D015993:Life Tables; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D009820:Ohio