M. Nazzal et al., ND-YAG LASER ANGIOPLASTY - A SAFE PROCEDURE IN PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-SURGERY, Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 39(2), 1998, pp. 131-135
Background. Thirty-three patients (34 limbs) with peripheral vascular
occlusive disease were treated with Nd Yag laser assisted angioplasty
over a three-year period (1989-1991). Methods. Sixteen males and 17 fe
males were included in the study, The mean age of all patients was 70.
29 (44-86) years. Twenty-two (66.7%) patients were smokers, 21 (63.6%)
had coronary artery disease and 14 (42.4%) had diabetes mellitus. Thi
rty-three patients (100%) had disabling intermittent claudication, 20
patients (60.6%) had rest pain, 2 patients (6.1%) had ulcers and 10 pa
tients (30.3%) had gangrenous changes. Thirty-nine vessels were treate
d; 34 (87.2%) superficial femoral arteries, 4 (10.3%) popliteal arteri
es and 1 external iliac artery. Eleven (28.2%) vessels were totally oc
cluded and the remaining 28 (71.8%) vessels had high grade stenosis of
more than 90%. The mean preoperative ABI Index was 0.23+/-12. Results
. The preoperative angiogram showed poor out-flow in 24 (70.6%) extrem
ities, 1 patent distal vessel in 7 extremities (20.6%) and at least 2
vessels in 3 extremities (8.8%). The patients were followed up for a p
eriod of 9.9 months (20 days-30 months). The procedure could not be do
ne in 2 extremities. All the remaining 32 extremities had patent vesse
ls at the end of the procedure. Fifteen (48.4%) patients stated that t
hey improved but remained symptomatic. Twelve (38.7%) were completely
asymptomatic, 3 (9.7%) patients had no change in their symptoms and 2
patients worsened at the end of the follow-up period. The mean postope
rative ABI was 0.78. Bleeding from the puncture site requiring closure
was the most common complication of the procedure in 6 patients (19.4
%). Angioplasty in 5 of these patients was done by the open technique.
Other complications included hematoma in 3 (9.7%) patients and one ca
se (3%) of artery perforation. Among those who remained asymptomatic a
t the end of the follow-up period the mean change in ABI was 0.625+/-0
.19, those who improved but remained symptomatic the mean ABI change w
as 0.43+/-0.25 while those whose symptoms did not change or worsened t
he mean ABI change was 0.12+/-0.13. The ABI change in the first two gr
oups was significantly higher than the last one (p<0.006 and p<0.001 r
espectively). There was no significant difference in the outcome of LA
BA between stenosed and occluded vessels. Smoking was significantly hi
gher in the symptomatic patients (7/20) compared to those who were asy
mptomatic 5/12, p<0.02. Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and
the preoperative ABI were not significant variables in the outcome of
angioplasty, Conclusions. In conclusion, Nd Yag laser assisted angiopl
asty is a safe procedure. It could relieve symptoms in 87.1% of cases.
Change in the ABI and smoking are predictive of the success of the pr
ocedure.