Comparison of effectiveness of excimer laser angioplasty in patients with acute coronary syndromes in those with versus those without normal left ventricular function

Depressed left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) adversely affects procedural outcome during percutaneous coronary revascularization. This study examined the acute results, effectiveness, and safety of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) in patients with acute coronary ischemic syndromes whose LVEF was depressed (<40%) versus those with preserved LVEF. One hundred patients with acute coronary syndromes (51 with unstable angina and 49 with acute myocardial infarction) underwent ELCA. Twenty-five patients (group 1) (29 lesions; 72% thrombotic) had decreased LVEF (mean 28 ± 6%) and 75 patients (group 2) (81 lesions; 60% thrombotic) had preserved LVEF (mean 53 ± 8%). Group 1 had a higher incidence of 3-vessel disease, Q-wave acute myocardial infarcton, cardiogenic shock, diabetes, and hypertension. High laser success (87% group 1 vs 93% group 2, p = NS) and procedural success (93% group 1 vs 98% group 2, p = NS) were achieved in both groups. Minimal luminal diameter in group 1 increased from 0.7 ± 0.5 to 1.4 ± 0.5 mm after the laser procedure and finally to 3.0 ± 0.4 mm; in group 2, minimal luminal diameter increased from 0.7 ± 0.4 to 1.3 ± 0.5 mm after the procedure to a final of 3.0 ± 0.5 mm. The laser energy vaporized 75% of thrombus burden from the target lesion in group 1 versus 79% in group 2 (p = NS). Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow in group 1 increased from 1.4 ± 1.2 to 2.7 ± 0.7 by laser and finally to 2.9 ± 0.3, and in group 2 from 2.0 ± 1.0 to 2.8 ± 0.6 after the laser procedure to a final of 2.9 ± 0.4. There were no deaths, emergency bypass surgeries, strokes, or acute vessel closures in either group. Thus, ELCA is a safe and feasible revascularization modality for patients with acute coronary syndromes whose LVEF is depressed. The laser energy vaporizes a large thrombus burden from the treated plaque. Angiographic intracoronary thrombus does not adversely affect device and procedural success in these select patients.