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Laser recanalization in high risk patients
Author(s) -
Seeger James M.,
Kaelin Lawrence D.,
Barbeau Gerald,
Abela George S.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.1900100202
Subject(s) - laser , medicine , laser therapy , optics , physics
Laser recanalization was attempted in 13 patients in whom the risk of surgical therapy was increased by severe angina, infection, absent venous conduit, or recent deep venous thrombosis, and in 4 patients at high risk for limb loss due to severe infrapopliteal arterial occlusive disease. Total occlusions of the superficial femoral, tibial, or peroneal arteries were treated. Recanalization was accomplished using Argon laser power and a Spectraprobe‐PLRm. Two patients also required common femoral artery endar‐terectomy to improve inflow. Laser recanalization was successful in 9 patients (53%), and 8 (47%) had relief of symptoms. None of the 4 patients with tibial and peroneal artery occlusion had successful recanalization or limb salvage. Restenosis or reocclusion developed in 4 patients during the first year after successful recanalization, but only 1 had recurrent symptoms. Limb salvage was initially achieved in 5 of 8 recanalization failures by surgical reconstruction but 3 developed graft infections requiring graft removal in 2 and amputation in 1. Thus, laser recanalization can accomplish limb salvage in selected patients whose medical or surgical risks complicate arterial bypass surgery.