[Initial experiences with transpopliteal, laser-assisted balloon angioplasty of femoral artery occlusions]. / Erste Erfahrungen mit der transpoplitealen laserassistierten Ballonangioplastie bei Femoralisverschlüssen.

For many years great efforts are being made to recanalise totally occluded vessels and averting a bypass operation as long as possible. In two years 190 patients were treated successfully by the Lastac System. Encouraged by very good results, we started to recanalise the totally occluded superficial femoral artery via a transpopliteal approach. Meanwhile, 29 patients were treated. Primary successful were 22 patients with an average length of a total occlusion of 27.5 cm.

[Recanalization of peripheral vascular occlusions using an argon laser]. / Rekanalisation peripherer Gefässverschlüsse mit einem Argonlaser.

A new Argonlaser developed in the United States of America is available to the radiological and surgical departments of the Hospital of St. Pölten. It is used for recanalization of totally occluded peripheral arteries. During the last 9 months, 51 patients (30 men and 21 women) with an average age of 71 years have been treated. Total occlusion was present in 88% of the arteries treated. The primary success rate is 89%, and the perforation rate is under 2%.