Authors' recommendations: Balloon angioplasty with stent implantation is a standard treatment for symptomatic coronary artery lesions. Two reasons for failure of this procedure are inability to penetrate a complete coronary occlusion and failure to adequately expand the stent. Evidence of the effectiveness and safety of attempting to correct these problems using current models of excimer laser is restricted to case series. Most report a fairly high rate of successful procedures and a low but not insignificant complication rate. Information on outcomes observed during follow-up is limited to one observational study (6 months). There is no evidence to support a conclusion that a successful procedure improves symptoms over time or extends life. Assuming that this intervention does not necessitate an additional catheterization procedure, the cost to the MUHC would be $1500 per patient. The present evidence of benefit of this procedure is insufficient to justify the associated opportunity cost for routine clinical use. Further investigation of this technology should be considered and funded as a research procedure.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.mcgill.ca/tau/files/tau/muhc_tau_2014_75_excimer_b.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)

Contact Address: Technology Assessment Unit of the MUHC, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 5252 boul. de Maisonneuve, Bureau 3F.50, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3S5

Contact Name: nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca

Contact Email: nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca

Copyright: Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)