A comprehensive guide to the clinical use of lasers in cardiovascular disease. Describes techniques of laser angioplasty, covering topics that range from early results using bare fiber optics to percutaneous coronary laser thermal angioplasty. Extensively illustrated with photographs, x-rays, angiograms, drawings and diagrams.

A careful review of the literature covering various aspects of applications of lasers in science and technology reveals that lasers are being applied very widely throughout the entire gamut of physical medicine. After surveying the current developments taking place in the field of medical applications of lasers, it was considered appropriate to bring together these efforts of international research scientists and experts into one volume. It is with this aim that the editors have prepared this volume which brings current research and recent developments to the attention of a wide spectrum of readership associated with hospitals, medical institutions and universities world wide, including also the medical instrument industry. Both teachers and students in the medical faculties will especially find this compendium quite useful. This book is comprised of eleven chapters. All of the important medical applications of lasers are featured. The editors have made every effort that individual chapters are self-contained and written by experts. Emphasis has been placed on straight and simple presentation of the subject matter so that even the new entrants into the field will find the book of value.

Following the advent of percutaneous balloon vel oped and are available for clinical use, as well angioplasty, interventional cardiovascular pro as those that are still in investigational phases. cedures have become of great interest to the Clinical case reports are presented by expert in cardiologist, radiologist, and cardiovascular vestigators on the use of various catheter systems surgeon. One of the most extensively explored in the coronary and peripheral circulation. alternatives to bypass surgery is laser-mediated Part V (Chapters 17-23) is the most up-to angioplasty. The fascination with laser radia date review of the clinical experience with vari tion has greatly contributed to its popularity, ous laser delivery systems. There is an emphasis but has also burdened it with unrealistic ex on patient selection, criteria for lesion choice, pectations. Many commercial laser systems are and follow-up data. A detailed description of available to the clinician and the researcher, laser recanalization techniques is presented for which often makes the choice of a laser system the various systems in the clinical setting.

This book is a fully updated and revised second edition of a highly successful text in which a new concept of knowledge mining, based on explication and transfer of interventional knowledge of experts, has been implemented. The dedicated training program that is set out will serve the needs of all interventional operators, whether cardiologists, vascular surgeons, vascular specialists, or radiologists, enabling them to achieve a consistent expert level across the entire broad spectrum of catheter-based interventions. Operator skills – and in particular decision-making and strategic skills – are the most critical factors for the outcome of catheter-based cardiovascular interventions. Currently, such skills are commonly developed by the empirical trial and error method only. The explicit teaching, training, and learning approach adopted in this book permits the rapid transfer of interventional knowledge and enables individual operators to negotiate steep learning curves and acquire complex skills in a highly efficient manner. It will thereby offer invaluable assistance in meeting successfully the challenges of modern cardiovascular care.

Peripheral Endovascular Interventions presents the state-of-the-art in endovascular surgical technology and applications. New developments now allow the vascular surgeon to facilitate treatment of remote vascular disease via a peripheral puncture site and the editors, renowned endovascular pioneers Dr. Rodney A. White and Dr. Thomas Fogarty, have put together the primary text on all aspects of endovascular techniques in the vascular or general surgery practice. Forty chapters bring together an internationally renown group of contributors to discuss the components of an endovascular practice, facilities and equipment for endovascular intervention, endovascular instrumentation and devices, and specialized endovascular techniques. New to this edition are chapters detailing recent advances in brachiocephalic, renal and cerebral vascular angioplasty, endovascular prostheses, and a section dealing with the treatment of complications. Approximately 500 illustrations, including 50 in color, round out the text. Peripheral Endovascular Interventions is a must have, cutting edge compendium for all vascular surgeons and trainees as well as for practicing general surgeons.