Revascularization of chronic coronary artery occlusions using laser debulking followed by stent implantation

Abstract

Objective - Chronic total occlusions are considered unfavourable for percutaneous balloon angio-. plasty because of the low rate of success and the high rate of restenosis. Stent implantation after recanalization of chronic total occlusions has been shown to reduce restenosis and reocclusion rates compared with balloon angioplasty in recently published randomized trials. However, it is not well known whether laser debulking before stent implantation would improve the benefit of stenting in chronic total occlusions.