Peripheral excimer laser-assisted angioplasty. Preliminary clinical experience.

A non-thermal Xenon-Chloride excimer laser was used for peripheral arterial recanalization in eight patients with obliterating atherosclerosis of the superficial femoral artery. All patients had a total occlusion with severe claudication or pain at rest. There were three complications, which all led to thrombosis of the irradiated artery. In one, the puncture site in the artery had to be closed operatively. All vessels were followed up radiographically three months after the procedure. In seven patients the vessel was patent. Several investigators have warranted caution in using thermal lasers (continuous wave Nd:YAG or argon) for angioplasty. The non-thermal excimer laser is a viable alternative--although not without problems. Initial experiences with the new device are described.