Laser ablation and the need for intra-arterial imaging.
In 48 patients with severe claudication due to a total obstruction of the femoropopliteal artery, percutaneous recanalization was attempted with a 2.2 mm diameter rounded sapphire contact probe in conjunction with a continuous wave Nd:YAG laser. In eight patients the contact probe laser catheter took a subintimal course that could not be redressed. Laser recanalization needs high-resolution diagnostic information on the complex anatomy of the obstruction. Intra-arterial ultrasound imaging may provide the necessary information to evaluate, monitor or guide novel angioplasty techniques. The design of an ultrasound catheter which combines high-resolution diagnostic imaging with steerability, flexibility and controlled ablation is now the major engineering challenge in interventional cardiology.
Borst
C
C
Department of Cardiology, Heart-Lung Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Rienks
R
R
Mali
W P
WP
van Erven
L
L
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*