Abstract
Laser thermal angioplasty with a metal hot tip probe for atherosclerosis obliterans of iliac, femoral and popliteal artery lesions was used instead of conventional balloon angioplasty. Initial angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 24 of 28 (85.7%) vessels. The 1-year cumulative patency rate was 82.6 % of 19 vessels with clinical success in 23 vessels (one of 24 clinical success cases died due AMI at 14 days after operation). In the 8 iliac and 15 femoro-popliteal arteries, the cumulative success rates were 100% and 73.3%, respectively. Complications were observed in 25% of vessels (7 of 28 vessels). One of them necessitated emergency bypass surgery but not the others. In the 24 laser thermal angioplasty, other revascularization methods were performed on 12 cases (50%) at the same time. Although many problems remain to be solved laser thermal angioplasty can be effective for atherosclerotic disease.
