In the 1980s, excimer laser angioplasty was developed as an alternative method of percutaneous angioplasty, with the objective of reducing the high rate of restenosis associated with other angioplasty or stenting techniques.   Excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) is a procedure that utilizes an intravascular catheter system to deliver high-energy laser light to atherosclerotic lesions that are causing stenosis or occlusion of native coronary arteries, vein grafts placed at previous coronary artery bypass surgery, or stainless steel intracoronary stents, while producing relatively little thermal damage to the vessel wall. ELCA is usually performed in combination with balloon angioplasty and is intended as a minimally invasive alternative to open surgical revascularization for patients with atherosclerotic coronary lesions.
Excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) for the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions that are causing stenosis or occlusion of native coronary arteries, vein grafts placed at coronary artery bypass surgery, or stainless steel intracoronary stents is considered investigational.