Laser angioplasty of peripheral vessels: complementary procedures

Abstract

From 1987 to 1991 we treated 167 peripheral arteries in 143 patients by laser-assisted balloon angioplasty using a Neodymium YAG laser. Embolism fo1lowing or accompanying laser angioplasty was treated by aspiration and local lysis with urokinase in 10 cases. To improve long term results balloon dilatation of stenoses of the proximal vessel was performed in 36 cases (5 iliac arteries, 30 femoral arteries, 1 bypass), and of the distal vessel in 31 (16 femoropopliteal arteries, 15 crural arteries). Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of recurrent stenosis within the recanalised segment was necessary in 11 patients. It was also possible 1o reopen 10 reocclusions, 6 by aspiration and local lysis and 4 by a second laser angioplasty. Both the high technical success rate (90.4%) and the good long term results (cure rate after 3 years 66.8%) are due in part to complementary procedures.