Abstract
One hundred and thirty four lesions of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases were treated with PTLA, using 1064nm continuous wave Nd: YAG laser during the period of March, 1985 through March, 1993. In most cases a ceramic tip was used for contact lasing method. A bare laser fiber was also used in a small number of lesions. The initial success rate of PTLA is 87.3%. The cumulative patency rate dropped to 67.7% at 8 years from 89.7% at 6 years. The main cause of decreased patency rate seems to be due to inclusion of more difficult cases to treat. Our 5-year cumulative patency rate of all lesions treated by PTLA revealed 10 to 15% improvement, when compared with that of conventional PTA. Our 6-year comulative patency rate revealed a better patency rate among lesions less than 10cm in length than that of lesions longer than 10cm. PTLA has been especially useful in lesions in which a guidewire could not be passed, and also in hard lesions. Laser ablation of atheromatous plaque seemed to prevent recoiling of stenotic arterial wall and to create better compresibility. PTLA seems to be a useful adjunct to improve initial success rate and the long term patency rate of PTA.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
