Ultrasound-monitored laser angioplasty: preliminary clinical results.

A novel coaxial catheter system for ultrasound (US)-guided, pulsed laser angioplasty was tested clinically in 4 patients with stenoses of the femoral and external iliac artery. The mean lesion length was 1.3 +/- 0.4 cm. The 9F multifiber laser catheter incorporated a 4.8F commercial intravascular US catheter and can be guided over a 0.014 inch wire. Laser angioplasty alone reduced the mean degree of stenoses from 84 +/- 8% to 47 +/- 10%. Though laser-induced artifacts compromised detailed US monitoring during laser firing itself, the system proved to be clinically useful as assessment of laser effects and measurement of the severity of residual stenoses was possible immediately after laser irradiation.