This multicenter, prospective, randomized trial compared the Excimer laser atherectomy (Excimer Laser Atherectomy = ELA, Spectranetics, Inc.) with a balloon angioplasty in patients with in-stent restenosis in the superficial femoral artery. The injury was greater than 4 cm and the reference vessel diameter 5 to 7 mm. The mean lesion length was 19 cm, and 30% had occlusive restenosis. The study was suspended after 250 patients given the superiority of Excimer laser atherectomy.
Conclusion
The strategy with Excimer laser atherectomy plus angioplasty was superior to balloon angioplasty alone in patients with in-stent restenosis of the superficial femoral artery.
Eric Dippel
2014-09-17
Original title: A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Excimer Laser Atherectomy Versus Balloon Angioplasty for Treatment of Femoropopliteal In-Stent Restenosis.