Percutaneous excimer-laser and excimer-laser-assisted angioplasty of the lower extremities: results of initial clinical trial.
Percutaneous peripheral excimer-laser angioplasty at 308 nm was used for treatment of 30 patients with peripheral vascular disease. Twenty-eight patients underwent laser-assisted balloon angioplasty, and two patients underwent laser angioplasty alone. Acute angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 24 of 31 (77%) femoropopliteal stenoses and occlusions. Seven of nine (78%) stenoses, six of seven (86%) short (0-5 cm) occlusions, seven of eight (88%) medium-length (6-10 cm) occlusions, three of four (75%) long (11-15 cm) occlusions, and one of three (33%) extreme (greater than 15 cm) occlusions were successfully treated. Inability to treat total occlusions was in each case related to a failure to maintain coaxial position and subintimal passage of the fiber. These cases demonstrate the feasibility of safely performing percutaneous peripheral excimer-laser or excimer-laser-assisted angioplasty. The overall frequency of restenosis after a mean follow-up period of 9.1 months was 29%. The data suggest that these procedures may be useful for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease in selected patients.
Litvack
F
F
Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Grundfest
W S
WS
Adler
L
L
Hickey
A E
AE
Segalowitz
J
J
Hestrin
L B
LB
Mohr
F W
FW
Goldenberg
T
T
Laudenslager
J S
JS
Forrester
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence