Application of Gas Endarterectomy to Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vessels and Coronary Arteries Clinical and Experimental Results

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.