Excimer laser technology used to treat cardiovascular disease

The Spectranetics Corporation recently announced that the May issue of Lasers in Medical Science is completely dedicated to research demonstrating the effectiveness of excimer laser technology to treat cardio-vascular disease. In the journal, 11 papers present data and information on multiple applications of excimer technology to treat blockages in the coronary arteries, leg arteries (which has received CE Mark approval in Europe and is in clinical trials in the United States), and for the removal of nonfunctioning pacemaker and defibrillator leads.

On Topaz, MD, FACC, Director of Interventional Cardiology at McGuire VA Medical Center, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, is the North American editor-in- chief of the journal and was the editor in charge of the journal's special issue dedicated to use of the excimer laser in cardiovascular medicine. He commented: "This updated publication contains state-of-the-art manuscripts written by top experts in the field of peripheral and coronary laser angioplasty and lead extraction. Several new applications and expanded indications are presented together with intriguing basic research results. The excimer laser appears to be useful in selected patients with complex lesions in both coronary and peripheral circulation. The ability of the excimer laser to debulk obstructive atherosclerotic plaque, thrombus and fibrotic tissue makes the laser an invaluable asset for challenging revascularization procedures."

Joseph Largey, president and chief executive officer of Spectranetics, commented: "The impressive research presented in this journal underscores the broad applications of excimer technology to treat a vast array of cardio- vascular diseases. Further, it reinforces the acceptance of excimer technology as a multi-purpose, cost effective tool in the clinician's arsenal. We sincerely thank Dr. On Topaz for his tireless effort to bring this special edition to fruition. I also want to thank each of the contributors, listed below, for their notable papers published in this issue."

Included in the issue are the following articles:

• Preface, On Topaz;
  
• "Excimer Laser Revascularisation: Current Indications, Applications and Techniques," O. Topaz, T. Das, J. Dahm, H. Madyoon, E. Perin and D. G. Ebersole;
  
• "Excimer Laser for Revascularisation of Saphenous Vein Grafts," D. G. Ebersole;
  
• "Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty for Diffuse In-stent Restenosis," J. B. Dahm;
  
• "Excimer Laser (308nm) Recanalisation of In-stent Restenosis: Thermal Considerations," T. Papaioannou, D. Yadegar, S. Vari, R. Shehada, W. S. Grundfest;
  
• "Percutaneous Peripheral Revascularization with Excimer Laser: Equipment, Technique and Results," T. Das;
  
• "Application of Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty in Bifurcation Lesions," H. Madyoon, L. Croushore;
  
• "Excimer Laser for Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead Extraction: Techniques and Clinical Results," D. M. Gilligan, D. Dan;
  
• "Current Multicentre Studies with the Excimer Laser: Design and Aims," J. E. Tcheng, A. A. Volkert-Noethen;
  
• "Editorial: Excimer Laser Thrombolysis: An Emerging Option for Acute Ischaemic Coronary Syndromes," O. Topaz;
  
• "Next Generation Catheters for Excimer Laser Coronary Antioplasty," K. Taylor, C. Reiser;
  
• "A Model for Evaluation of Arterial Thrombosis Following Interventional Procedures," G. S. Abela, E. Hage-Korban, T. Tomaru, G. R. Barbeau, S. E. Friedl, L. D. Kaelin, J. M. Seeger.

Spectranetics is a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets products that deliver excimer laser energy for minimally invasive surgical procedures within the cardiovascular system. The company's CVX-300® excimer laser is the only system approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for multiple cardiovascular procedures, including coronary angioplasty and the removal of problematic pacemaker and defibrillator leads. The company is currently conducting three investigational trials designed to obtain FDA approval to market products in the United States for additional applications. The LACI study (Laser Angioplasty for Critical Ischemia) tests laser angioplasty to improve circulation in the lower leg. The PELA trial (Peripheral Excimer Laser Angioplasty) deals with blockages in arteries in the upper leg. LARS (Laser Angioplasty for Restenosed Stents) tests use of excimer laser energy to clear blocked coronary stents (thin steel mesh tubes used to support the walls of coronary arteries). All of the company's FDA-approved and investigational applications have received Communaute Europeene (CE) mark registration for marketing within Europe.

Source: Spectranetics Corporation

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