Abstract
Diffuse in-stent restenosis remains an important problem in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In this trial, we studied the early and mid-term outcomes of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) on diffuse in-stent restenosis.
ELCA was performed in 23 patients (19 males). The mean length of the lesions was 14.3 ±3 mm and the mean age was 58 ±7 years. The minimal lumen diameter (MLD) was measured by on-line quantitative coronary angiography. Before the procedure, MLD was 0.9 ±0.4. The Q/non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), PTCA, and mortality were recorded during the procedure and at 6 months follow up.
The fluence of laser emission was 45 mj/m2 and the repetition rate was 25 pulses per second. Adjunctive balloon angioplasty was performed in all of the cases at a mean 7 ±2 atm pressure. The procedure was successfully performed in all of the cases. Type-B dissection developed. after ELCA in 1 patient (4%). Perforation, death, cerebrovascular accidents, emergency CABG, PTCA or Q/non-Q wave myocardial infarction were not observed. MLD was 0.9 ±0.4 mm before ELCA, 1.8 ±0.9 mm (P < 0.05) after ELCA, and 3.1 ±0.7mm after PTCA.
At 6months follow up, there were 2 (8.7%) Q-wave myocardial infarctions and 2 (8.7%) recurrent anginal pain cases. Control angiography was obtained in 20 cases (87%). Control angiography was not accepted by 3 patients. Their maximal exercise test was negative. Angiographic restenosis was observed in 6 cases (30%). The rate of target lesion revascularization (TLR) was 5 of 23 (22%) in the patients treated with ELCA.
It is concluded, ELCA is a safe and efficient debulking technology for treating diffuse in-stent restenosis.
