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Laser applications to arteriosclerosis: Angioplasty, angioscopy, and open endarterectomy
Author(s) -
Eugene John,
McColgan Stephen J.,
HammerWilson Marie,
MooreJeffries Earl W.,
Berns Michael W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.1900050413
Subject(s) - angioscopy , medicine , angioplasty , endarterectomy , arteriosclerosis , radiology , laser , carotid endarterectomy , nuclear medicine , surgery , cardiology , stenosis , optics , physics
Abstract We have studied laser radiation of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease to determine the best technique for evaluation. Rabbits with arteriosclerosis were treated by intraluminal laser angioplasty (N = 8), laser angioscopy (N = 2), and open laser endarterectomy (N = 5). All studies were performed with an argon ion laser delivering energy through a 400‐μm quartz fiber. Power delivered was varied in order to determine the best value for this animal model. Following angioplasty, perforation was seen in three rabbits (in one case, it was due to mechanical trauma from the fiber optic), and early thrombosis occurred in two rabbits. Plaques were vaporized by angioscopy, but the depth of laser beam penetration or angle of incidence could not be controlled. Open laser endarterectomy gave consistently good results with removal of an arteriosclerotic plaque within the media. The optimum power was found to be 1.0‐2.0 W. Endarterectomy required an energy density of 100‐140 J/cm 2 . We conclude that open laser endarterectomy can be a standardized technique for the in vivo evaluation of laser radiation upon arteriosclerotic lesions.