title: "Wireless" laser recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusions.
abstract: Chronic total occlusions in particular, completely obstructed aorto-ostial lesions are among the most challenging targets in interventional cardiology. Excimer laser is a debulking technology for revascularization of complex lesions. Treatment of total occlusions with laser angioplasty can be applied providing that a guidewire traverses the entire length of the occlusion prior to device activation. In many patients with total occlusions, a guidewire is unable to penetrate the target stenosis. This communication presents a new technique termed "wireless" laser recanalization. This approach entails recanalization of a total occlusion with a laser catheter without a leading guidewire.
authors.affiliation: Southwest Cardiovascular Consultants, Texas Heart Institute, 6624 Fannin, Suite 2220, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Perin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarmento-Leite
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Topaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017222:Angioplasty, Balloon, Laser-Assisted; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged