Excimer laser angioplasty: efficiency and damage

Pulsed excimer laser light has been shown to be effective for the removal of fibrous or calcified stenoses of vessels. In order to be able to optimize laser parameters and irradiation mode for different clinical applications, we investigated in vitro how radiant energy, pulse repetition rate and irradiation geometry effect both the efficiency of the procedure and the damage of the remaining tissue. Results are different for close contact between light transmitting fiber and specimens and for non contact. There are no universal optimal parameters, but the measured data allow to find the best conditions according to the particular circumstances.