SPECTRANETICS CVX-300 Excimer Laser

  
  In my search for a blocked coronary arteries treatment, I discovered that
  SPECTRANETICS CVX-300 is another option in the treatment of complex
  coronary obstructions. They say that SPECTRANETICS CVX-300 excimer laser
  uses specially designed fiber optic catherers to deliver short bursts of
  ultraviolet light to ablate or dissolve plaque blocking coronary arteries.
  If this medical equipment can help me? (i) where can I have the operation;
  (i) will Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and/or HMO cover expenses and; (iii)
  what is the success rate of this operation.
  The Desperado

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Dear Desparado:
Initially, the idea of using lasers to clear blockages from coronary arteries was met with great enthusiasm.  In the years since it was first tried, however, lasers have not been as useful as we had hoped.  At the Cleveland Clinic, we do still occasionally use lasers for certain types of complex blockages or blockages within stents, but lasers have a very limited role.  There are other adjunctive devices, such as the Rotablator, that can be used on certain complex blockages with good success.
As far as reimbursement, if the procedure is deemed appropriate by your cardiologist, insurance companies will pay for it.  I cannot comment on whether your HMO will pay for it; they each have their own sets of rules concerning what procedures are covered.  Complex interventional cardiology procedures such as the laser and Rotablator are best performed by experienced operators at large medical centers.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F25.