Excimer laser angioplasty: focus on total occlusions.
This commentary reviews two studies published in the current issue of The American Journal of Cardiology, which provide important information about the use of excimer laser angioplasty for the treatment of chronic total occlusions. The commentary also summarizes fundamental laser mechanisms to clarify the shortcomings of excimer laser angioplasty--modest lumen improvement, prevalent vessel dissection, and troublesome restenosis--and to identify new applications of excimer laser technology.
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D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017222:Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans