Study assesses lasers for blocked leg arteries:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Spectranetics has begun a US FDA-approved feasibility study to assess its excimer laser technology for treating life-threatening arterial blockages in the lower leg. The minimally invasive procedure has already been used to treat the first patient in the multicentre study, where it was shown to restore blood flow through the limb even though the patient had failed previous interventional and bypass surgery and become a candidate for amputation. The technique is currently approved in the US for coronary angioplasty and for removing pacemaker leads, said the Colorado Springs, Colorado-based company.