title: Direct argon laser exposure for recanalization of peripheral arteries: early results.
abstract: Direct laser light, in combination with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), was used to recanalize atherosclerotic peripheral arteries. Argon laser energy was controlled with an optical assembly and aligned with a special centering/dilation balloon so that plaque tissue absorbed laser energy directly and was vaporized. A channel was thereby created with multiple 10-W laser exposures (2-10 seconds), and conventional angioplasty was then performed. Recanalization was achieved in 33 of 36 procedures (92%), in 23 femoropopliteal (mean length, 9 cm) and three iliac total occlusions and ten femoropopliteal high-grade stenoses, with the three failures occurring in the first group. Complications included two emboli, six moderate groin hematomas, and one laser perforation. While these results are preliminary (mean follow-up, 3 months), direct laser angioplasty appears to be a useful adjunct to PTA for treating atherosclerotic arteries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Park Nicollet Medical Center, St Louis Park, MN 55416.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nordstrom
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Castaneda-Zuniga
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Von Seggern
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D013997:Time Factors; D014654:Vascular Patency