[Femoropopliteal laser recanalization--a multicenter study]

Laser-assisted angioplasty was performed in four different hospital centers, following the same treatment protocol and using an Nd-YAG laser with a sapphire-probe catheter. The initial recanalization rate of 259 femoro-popliteal occlusions with a mean length of 7.5 cm was 84%. Dissections or perforations were observed in 10%. An emergency surgical intervention was required in 1.1%. The long-term patency rate of the successfully recanalized arteries was 74% after 2 years. The cumulative cure rate of all 259 patients was 62%.