Direct argon laser exposure for recanalization of peripheral arteries: early results.

Direct laser light, in combination with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), was used to recanalize atherosclerotic peripheral arteries. Argon laser energy was controlled with an optical assembly and aligned with a special centering/dilation balloon so that plaque tissue absorbed laser energy directly and was vaporized. A channel was thereby created with multiple 10-W laser exposures (2-10 seconds), and conventional angioplasty was then performed. Recanalization was achieved in 33 of 36 procedures (92%), in 23 femoropopliteal (mean length, 9 cm) and three iliac total occlusions and ten femoropopliteal high-grade stenoses, with the three failures occurring in the first group. Complications included two emboli, six moderate groin hematomas, and one laser perforation. While these results are preliminary (mean follow-up, 3 months), direct laser angioplasty appears to be a useful adjunct to PTA for treating atherosclerotic arteries.