[Initial experiences with transpopliteal, laser-assisted balloon angioplasty of femoral artery occlusions].

For many years great efforts are being made to recanalise totally occluded vessels and averting a bypass operation as long as possible. In two years 190 patients were treated successfully by the Lastac System. Encouraged by very good results, we started to recanalise the totally occluded superficial femoral artery via a transpopliteal approach.

[Recanalization of peripheral vascular occlusions using an argon laser].

A new Argonlaser developed in the United States of America is available to the radiological and surgical departments of the Hospital of St. Pölten. It is used for recanalization of totally occluded peripheral arteries.