Application of Gas Endarterectomy to Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vessels and Coronary Arteries

Clinical and Experimental Results

Sawyer, P. N. M.D.
Kaplitt, M. J. M.D.
Sobel, S. M.D.
Dimaio, D. M.D.

From the Vascular Surgical Services of the Departments of Surgery and Surgical Research, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, and Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York.

Circulation 35(4):p I163-I168, April 1967.

A new technique of endarterectomy is described. It uses carbon dioxide gas, under pressure, to dissect the diseased inner layers of blood-vessel wall from the more normal outer layer. It has been utilized in 89 patients. It remains to be seen what the 5- and 10-year patency rates will be. This must, in large degree, relate to the patient's vascular disease. Finally, we hope that a series of coronary endarterectomies can be done to indicate the applicability of the technique to coronary revascularization.