ISSN:
1540-8183
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The initial single center experience of percutaneous coronary excimer laser angioplasty is described for the first three series of 147 patients. Sixty patients were treated with a prototype 1.4-mm laser catheter, 40 patients with improved transmission devices, and the third series of 47 patients with an increased pulse width of the laser system allowing improved energy transmission. In 17 patients (12%) laser angioplasty could not be initiated due to inability to cross the lesion with the guidewire or to place the catheter coaxially within the vessel. In 32 patients (58%) of series I, II patients (31%) of series 2, and 17 patients (43%) of series 3, additional balloon dilatation following laser treatment was necessary due to vessel closure (24%) or due to an insufficient angiographic result (35%). There was one death in series 1(2%) and 2 (3%) each, one perforation in series 2 (3%), two transmural myocardial infarctions in series 1 (4%), and one myocardial infarction in series 2 (3%). During the 6-month follow-up period one patient in series 2 (2%), and one patient in series 3 (3%) died. Angiographic restenosis was found in 22, 12, and 11 patients of series 1 (40%), 2 (34%), and 3 (27%), respectively. No patient developed a transmural myocardial infarction. Thus, percutaneous coronary excimer laser angioplasty can be performed as a safe and feasible procedure in patients with coronary artery disease. However, the need for additional balloon angioplasty due to vessel closure or due to an insufficient angiographic result demands further improvement in laser and catheter technology. The overall incidence of restenosis following excimer laser angioplasty was comparable to balloon dilatation in this limited series of patients. (J Interven Cardiol 1992; 5:15–23)
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-8183.1992.tb00818.x
Permalink