Treatment of coronary artery stenosis by laser technique

Abstract

Current techniques of coronary bypass surgery have been effective in relieving stenosis, improving coronary perfusion, and prolonging life in numerous patients [1]. Atherosclerosis, however, involves the distal as well as the proximal coronary artery in 10 to 20% of patients and may either prevent successful revascularization initially or reduce the chance for long-term graft patency. Variations of distal atherosclerosis may be classified as tandem stenosis, discrete distal stenosis, multiple diffuse stenosis, or total coronary occlusion (Figure 1). Previously, manual endarterectomy and intraoperative angioplasty have been utilized for treating distal coronary disease. Both surgical techniques, however, have specific indications for use and limitations on their application [2, 3]. Consequently, alternate methods have been sought to deal with the problem of distal atherosclerotic disease.