Vascular tissue ablation by an erbium:YAG laser of 2,940 nm was tested in-vitro with the application of increasing energies from 20 to 80 mJ per pulse. Effective ablation of normal vascular tissue, lipomatous atheromas and calcified plaques was achieved. Penetration depth was considerably diminished in the presence of calcifications. The lasered craters showed smooth surfaces and were regularly shaped. The solid state erbium:YAG, which is transmittable by fluoride fibers, offers theoretical advantages for laser angioplasty.