Laser thermal angioplasty with a metal hot tip probe was performed on 34 cases of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs, instead of conventional balloon angioplasty. Initial angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 48 of 53 (90.5%) arterial lesions. The initial success rates were 91.6%, 87.8% and 100% for lesions of the iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries respectively. The initial success rate was 66.6% in occlusive lesions, and was 100% in stenotic lesions. Five of seven (71.4%) occlusions less than 10cm length, and five of eight (62.5%) occlusions longer than 10cm were successfuly treated. Higher laser energy was necessary for ablation in occlusive lesions than in stenotic lesions. The ankle pressure index improved postoperatively in both occlusive and stenotic lesions. Satisfactory long term patency was achieved in 27 of 35 successfully treated lesions (77.1%). These results suggest that laser thermal angioplasty is effective for the treatment of arteriosclerotic disease in the lower limbs.

Laser thermal angioplasty with a metal hot tip probe for atherosclerosis obliterans of iliac, femoral and popliteal artery lesions was used instead of conventional balloon angioplasty. Initial angiographic and clinical success was achieved in 24 of 28 (85.7%) vessels. The 1-year cumulative patency rate was 82.6 % of 19 vessels with clinical success in 23 vessels (one of 24 clinical success cases died due AMI at 14 days after operation). In the 8 iliac and 15 femoro-popliteal arteries, the cumulative success rates were 100% and 73.3%, respectively. Complications were observed in 25% of vessels (7 of 28 vessels). One of them necessitated emergency bypass surgery but not the others. In the 24 laser thermal angioplasty, other revascularization methods were performed on 12 cases (50%) at the same time. Although many problems remain to be solved laser thermal angioplasty can be effective for atherosclerotic disease.