Excimer Laser Use in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) can be used during complex percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) to debulk and modify the tissue with photochemical, photothermal, and photokinetic mechanisms without causing significant vessel injury. ELCA can facilitate treatment of balloon uncrossable, balloon undilatable, in-stent restenotic, saphenous vein graft and thrombotic lesions. Potential complications include perforation and dissection. Judicious use of ELCA can improve the outcomes of complex PCI.