Laser-assisted debridement of aortic valve calcium.

Experimental debridement of aortic valve calcium by means of laser phototherapy was investigated in vitro. Near-total debridement of calcific deposits observed on pretreatment x-ray films was accomplished using carbon-dioxide laser phototherapy. Analysis of liberated photoproducts suggests that debridement is effected by thermal degradation of the surrounding connective tissue envelope and thermal expansion of the calcific nodules. These results suggest that in selected patients with calcific aortic stenosis, it may be possible to perform intraoperative laser-assisted debridement of aortic valve calcium in order to preserve the native aortic valve and thus avoid prosthetic valve replacement.