Laser angioplasty with a contact probe for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.
Percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty was carried out for the dilatation of 30 completely occluded peripheral arterial segments and three subtotal stenoses. A neodymium-YAG laser and an optical fibre delivery system with a sapphire tip were used. All three arterial stenoses and 26 of the 30 occluded arterial segments were successfully dilated. In 20 patients additional dilatation was carried out with a balloon catheter. Laser angioplasty failed to recanalise four occlusions, and vessel leakage without clinical consequences occurred in one patient. Reocclusion occurred within 48 h in two patients and after five months in one patient during a follow up period of at least six months. It is concluded that percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty using direct contact with a sapphire tip is highly effective (89% success rate) in reopening peripheral vascular occlusions. The procedure is safe, and reocclusion of vessels is rare during the six month follow up period.
Pilger
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Karl Franzens University School of Medicine, Graz, Austria.
Lammer
J
J
Kleinert
R
R
Ascher
W
W
Bertuch
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged