Recanalisation of occluded peripheral arteries by excimer laser.

Laser recanalisation was attempted in 24 patients with total segmental occlusions of the lower extremity arteries and the aortic arch branches. All patients were men aged 40-82 years, in 20 the lesions were caused by atherosclerosis, in three by Buerger's thromboangiitis and in one by postembolic occlusion. Angioplasty was performed using excimer lasers with a wavelength of 308 nm and with monofiber waveguides in the transcutaneous transcatheter mode.