Excimer Laser and Stenting in Patients with Distal Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Review of the Clinical Effectiveness, Safety, and Guidelines [Internet]

Excerpt

Since lower extremities affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are hard to treat and usually occur in high-risk patients, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) (or balloon dilatation) and PTA with stenting are not always successful or possible. In addition, patients may not be suitable for the currently acceptable surgical bypass intervention. Therefore, there remains a need for a different method of PAD management. The purpose of this report is to examine the clinical effectiveness and safety of excimer laser atherectomy for use in patients with distal PAD in order to ascertain whether it is a viable option to PTA or PTA plus stenting. In addition, evidence-based guidelines associated with the use of excimer laser use in patients with distal PAD were of interest.