Role of laser atherectomy for the management of in-stent restenosis in the peripheral arteries.

The prevalence of PAD is expected to increase as the population ages and the treatment for chronic disease becomes more sophisticated. The safety, efficacy, and lower cost of endovascular treatment for peripheral vascular disease of the lower extremities when compared with surgical revascularization are well known. Despite the clinical improvements and advances in endovascular techniques over the past decade, in-stent restenosis of peripheral arteries remains a challenge for the endovascular specialist. The use of excimer laser atherectomy has been shown to be safe and effective for the revascularization of complex, critical de novo peripheral lesions and offers promise in the treatment and prevention of in-stent restenosis.