[Laser assisted angioplasty]

Percutaneous laser thermal angioplasty with a hot tip fiber was used in 26 patients to recanalize 20 femoropopliteal occlusions, 5 iliac thromboses and one occlusion of the left subclavian artery. Initial angiographic success was achieved in 85% for the femoropopliteal lesions and in 60% for the iliac occlusions. Eight complications did occur, but none necessitated emergency bypass surgery.