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Percutaneous peripheral excimer laser angioplasty: immediate success rate and short-term outcome

Excimer Laser Angioplasty was attempted in 47 patients (36 males, 11 females, mean age 62+/- 7 years, range 39-77 years), affected by peripheral vascular disease. Thirty-seven patients had a total occlusion of the superficial femoral artery, 3 of the iliac artery and 1 of the popliteal artery; 6 patients showed a subocclusive stenosis of the superficial femoral artery. Occlusions and subocclusive stenoses were classified by length: < 10 cm (28 cases), > 10 cm (19 cases). A commercial excimer laser (Technolas Max-10) was used at the Xenon- Chloride wavelength of 308 nm. The laser operated at 60 ns pulse length and at 20-40 Hz repetition rate. Applied energy fluence was 20 mJ/pulse. The energy was delivered through a multifiber catheter, which combines 12 (7F) or 18 (9F) fibers (260 micron diameter each), concentrically arranged. Balloon dilatation was associated to complete the procedure in 38 cases. The treated arteries were successfully recanalized in 41 out of 47 patients (87%). Hemodynamic improvement was confirmed by a significant increase of ankle/brachial systolic pressure index (from 0.60+/- 0.17 to 0.79+/- 0.20, p < 0.005). Failure to recanalize arterial occlusion occurred in 6 cases, and was due to dissection in 3 patients and inability to cross the final segment of a long occlusion in 3 patients. The success rate was higher for lesions < 10 cm in length. Early reocclusion was observed in 7 patients and was associated with poor run-off. The cumulative patency rate at 1 month was 90.7%. Preliminary results are encouraging. More suitable catheters and better selection of patients should improve the efficacy of laser angioplasty and should allow to perform laser procedures without combining balloon angioplasty.