Objective: To provide a detailed report of our experience with laser atherectomy in a large patient population with an extensive follow-up period.
Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 222 patients who underwent laser atherectomy.
Results: Overall primary patency rates at 1 and 3 years were 48% and 37%, primary-assisted rates were 53% and 40%, and secondary patency rates were 69% and 51%, respectively. Limb salvage rates were 91% and 83%. The 1- and 3-year primary patency rates were significantly different between the native (51% and 39%) and the in-stent group (20% and 20%; P = .027). There were no differences in primary-assisted patency (P = .11), secondary patency (P = .094), and limb salvage rates (P= .83) between the 2 groups.
Conclusions: Although the primary patency of laser angioplasty was higher in native vessels versus the in-stent stenosis, there were no differences in the primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, or limb salvage rates between the 2 groups.