ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the scientific background, experimental data, practical procedural techniques and clinical applications of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The use of argon laser angioplasty was first described in animals in 1982. In humans, it was first performed in the context of salvaging an ischaemic limb in 1983. Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It refers to the process of creating a highly directional beam of monochromatic light with high energy. The term excimer is an acronym for excited dimer. Regardless of the mechanisms, the excimer laser theoretically possesses three unique characteristics: it ablates tissue without thermal effect; it ablates on a pulse-by-pulse basis leaving smooth incision margins, at least during in vitro study; and it is the only laser capable of ablating calcified material. Available laser catheters include conventional over-the-wire laser catheters, much less used currently, as well as the rapid exchange or monorail catheters.
