title: Percutaneous laser thermal angioplasty: initial results and 1-year follow-up in 129 femoropopliteal lesions.
abstract: Percutaneous peripheral laser thermal angioplasty with a laser-heated metallic-capped fiber was used as an adjunct to conventional balloon angioplasty. Initial angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 99 of 129 (77%) femoropopliteal stenoses and occlusions (21 of 22 [95%] stenoses, 17 of 17 [100%] short [1-3-cm] occlusions, 26 of 37 [70%] medium-length [4-7-cm] occlusions, and 35 of 53 [66%] long [greater than 7 cm] occlusions). There was a 4% frequency of vessel perforation without clinical sequelae and no necessity for emergency bypass surgery. The 1-year cumulative clinical patency was 77% for the 99 lesions with an initial clinical success. In the 21 stenoses and 17 short occlusions, the cumulative clinical patency rates were 95% and 93%, respectively. In the longer occlusions (4-7 cm and greater than 7 cm), the clinical patency rates were 76% and 58%, respectively. The initial angiographic and clinical success, as well as the 1-year cumulative clinical patency, for stenoses and short occlusions after laser-assisted balloon angioplasty may be greater than after conventional balloon angioplasty alone.
authors.affiliation: Evans Memorial Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital, Boston University Medical Center.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sanborn
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Guben
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000009:adverse effects; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D014654:Vascular Patency