title: Immediate and midterm follow-up results of excimer laser application in complex percutaneous coronary interventions: Report from a single center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of laser-assisted percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in an unselected population.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive patients, who underwent a laser assisted PCI between January 2008 and March 2012, were included in the present study. Fifty-one patients underwent laser ablation for thrombus vaporization (Group 1), 36 patients for neointima/plaque debulking (Group 2) and 13 patients for lesion compliance modification in calcified lesions (Group 3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of in-hospital serious events was 2%. The cumulative laser success was 82%, and it was significantly higher for Group 1 and Group 2 in comparison with Group 3 (p = 0.001). Furthermore, the need for repeat revascularization was significantly higher in the Group 3 compared with the others two groups (46% vs. 8% for Group 1 and 11% for Group 2, p = 0.03). The MACE rate was 14%. There was a trend toward a higher MACE rate in the Group 3 compared with others two groups (p = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser ablation is an effective and safe tool for complex PCI. Patients underwent laser for thrombus vaporization or for neointima/plaque debulking had better immediate success and better outcome at follow-up than patients underwent laser for lesion compliance modification.
authors.forename: Giandomenico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tarsia
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Michele
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Viceconte
authors.forename: Kensuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takagi
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Biscione
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Polosa
authors.forename: Roccoaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osanna
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lisanti
keywords: excimer laser; percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; stents