[Laser angioplasty of coronary stenoses]

Percutaneous transluminal coronary laser angioplasty is still undergoing clinical trials. The laser systems employed are of the pulsed type - for the most part the excimer laser - which are more effective for removing calcified plaque and have a lower complication rate than continuous wave lasers. While the long-term results are comparable with those achieved with balloon dilatation, the primary success rate of laser angioplasty alone is not yet up to the standards of balloon angioplasty. Improvements may be expected through the further development of catheter systems and the introduction of new techniques with more accurate and specific ablation of arteriosclerotic plaques.