Endoscopic laser endarterectomy.

The effects of the Neodymium YAG laser on atheroma have been examined in human cadaver aortoiliac arteries and in normal porcine vessels. YAG laser is effective when used to ablate atheroma in an air environment and can be used successfully through the vascular endoscope. When atheroma were treated in the saline solution environment necessary for vascular endoscopy, the laser was less effective. Laser-treated areas of porcine arteries were not thrombogenic. Severe laser damage was easily recognized by blanching and marked elevation of the initma and consistently resulted in late aneurysm formation. ELE is feasible and further investigation is warranted.