Laser angioplasty.

Laser technology clearly offers new approaches to the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The ability to transmit intense laser energy through optical fibers may allow precise ablation of pathologic cardiovascular tissues. This potential has stimulated extensive research on laser vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque, or laser angioplasty. Despite the preceding several years of research, there is currently no widespread laser angioplasty system in clinical use. The goal of complete atherosclerotic plaque vaporization without damage to the underlying arterial wall still remains elusive. This article reviews multiple different approaches to the development of laser angioplasty systems. It is too early to predict if all (or any) of these systems will be perfected to the degree necessary to provide cardiologists with a safe and effective laser angioplasty system. It is also difficult to predict the effect that the technologically simpler mechanical recanalization devices and arterial stents will have on laser angioplasty development. Nevertheless, laser angioplasty remains an exciting and promising approach for intravascular recanalization by vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque.