title: Laser angioplasty: historical perspective.
abstract: Serious interest in laser angioplasty began in the early 1980s in an attempt to solve two of the primary limitations of balloon angioplasty, recanalization and restenosis. By demonstrating the ability of laser irradiation to vaporize atherosclerotic tissue, it was logical to hypothesize that this powerful tool may allow recanalization of lesions that could not be crossed by conventional guidewire and balloon technology. With refinements in laser fibreoptics and catheter delivery systems, several laser systems were approved for clinical use as recanalization devices in both peripheral and coronary arteries. However, the requirement to follow laser angioplasty with conventional balloon angioplasty in the majority of cases and the lack of an effect of laser tissue removal (debulking) on restenosis has limited a broader acceptance of this technology. Perhaps improved techniques discussed later in this series such as saline infusion and better fibreoptic-lens systems will allow laser angioplasty to offer a true niche in interventional cardiology.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sanborn
mesh_terms: D016342:Angioplasty, Laser / Q000266:history*; D000818:Animals; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans