Cardiovascular applications-current status and update

Discusses the current status of laser use for angioplasty, TMR/PTMR, and lead extraction. Attempts to use mid-IR wavelengths for angioplasty have not produced viable devices at this time. Currently, the only FDA approved device for laser angioplasty is the Spectranetics 308 nm XeCl excimer laser. To date more than 25,000 patients have been treated with this modality. However, several issues remain including the need for adjunctive balloon angioplasty and the need to make larger holes with smaller catheters. Potential solutions for each of these problems are discussed. CO/sub 2/ lasers for TMR/PTMR appear to provide no advantages over fiber optically delivered wavelengths. Clinical trials using the Ho:YAG and XeCl lasers are underway.