Recanalisation of occluded peripheral arteries by excimer laser

Laser recanalisation was attempted in 24 patients with total segmental occlusions of the lower extremity arteries and the aortic arch branches. All patients were men aged 40-82 years, in 20 the lesions were caused by atherosclerosis, in three by Buerger's thromboangiitis and in one by postembolic occlusion. Angioplasty was performed using excimer lasers with a wavelength of 308 nm and with monofiber waveguides in the transcutaneous transcatheter mode. Recanalisation of the vessel throughout the length of the obliterated segment was successful in 13 out of 24 patients. In all patients with thromboangiitis, energy losses were less than in atherosclerotic occlusions and no problems were experienced in patients with severe calcification. A high percentage of failures is a result of imperfect technology and low effectiveness of control, this must be improved. The Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery in collaboration with the Institute of General Physics has been developing a method of recanalisation of occluded arteries using excimer laser radiation. This paper is a preliminary analysis of our first clinical results.