Transluminal laser angioplasty of the femoropopliteal circulation by use of a percutaneous popliteal approach

• Published in: The American journal of cardiology Vol. 64; no. 1; pp. 106 - 108
• Main Authors: Leachman, D.Richard, Avedissian, Michael G., Krajcer, Zvonimir, Angelini, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.07.1989; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Angioplasty, Balloon - methods; Arterial Occlusive Diseases - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Female; Femoral Artery; Humans; Laser Therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Popliteal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Pronation; Radiography; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Human; Recanalization; Lower limb; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Popliteal artery; Operation; Percutaneous route; Laser; Radiology; Femoropopliteal; Surgical approach; Arterial disease of the limb
• ISSN: 0002-9149; 1879-1913
• DOI: 10.1016/0002-9149(89)90665-6

Balloon angioplasty is a useful technique for revascularization of the femoropopliteal circulation. Its use may be limited, however, in the presence of total vascular occlusions. 1 Laser angioplasty of peripheral vessels is being investigated, with encouraging initial results. 2,5 Refinements in equipment and technique have provided added options to the interventional angiographer. There are now devices that can flatten, vaporize, remove or remodel atheromatous material. The major limitation is often access to the targeted lesion. 3 The site chosen for vascular entry may be the determining factor for success or failure of angioplasty in a given lesion. We present 7 patients with total occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) in which a percutaneous popliteal approach was used for laser angioplasty followed by balloon angioplasty. The technique is illustrated in Figure 1.