Intravascular low-power laser irradiation after coronary stenting: long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
A high restenosis rate remains a limiting factor for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravascular red laser therapy (IRLT) on restenosis after stenting procedures in de novo lesions.


METHODS
A total of 68 consecutive patients were treated with IRLT in conjunction with coronary stenting procedures. Mean lesion length was 16.5 +/- 2.4 mm. Reference vessel diameter (RVD) and pre-minimal lumen diameter (MLD) were 2.90 +/- 0.15 mm and 1.12 +/- 0.26 mm, respectively.


RESULTS
After treatment, MLD was 2.76 +/- 0.32 mm with no procedural complications or in-hospital adverse events. Angiographic follow-up (n = 61) revealed restenosis in nine patients (14.7%) with rate by artery size of > 3 mm (n = 21) 0%; 2.5--3.0 mm (n = 28) 14.2%; and < 2.5 mm (n = 12) 41.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravascular red light therapy is safe, feasible, and reduces expected restenosis rate after coronary stenting.
De Scheerder
I K
IK
University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
Wang
K
K
Kaul
U
U
Singh
B
B
Sahota
H
H
Keelan
M H
MH
Kipshidze
N N
NN
Moses
J
J
D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency / Q000528:radiation effects