EXCIMER LASER CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Recent experience with excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) has shown the safety and efficacy of the technique in the treatment of coronary stenosis, with results similar to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Several advantages of the excimer laser for intravascular use have been identified by the ELCA Registry, a group of 15 institutions nationally that have pooled data on their cooperative experience with ELCA. Advantages include the ability of the laser to ablate atheroma with microscopic precision without thermal injury and the ability of vessel surfaces to heal without scarring. The initial results of the multicenter investigation of ELCA in 958 patients indicate that ELCA may be indicated particularly for long, diffuse lesions. With the advent of larger diameter catheters, ELCA is a viable alternative to PTCA. Restenosis was seen as a significant problem, and it remained problematic at 6-month follow-up. In comparison with conventional balloon angioplasty, ELCA may eliminate that component of restenosis due to inadequate dilation or elastic recoil, but it does not appear to affect restenosis caused by smooth muscle proliferation. Catheter design and energy delivery continue to evolve and may affect future results of laser coronary angioplasty.