Pulsed laser angioplasty: wavelength power and energy dependencies relevant to clinical application.

Despite the theoretical advantages of submicrosecond pulsing for clinical laser angioplasty systems, the optimal laser parameters for clinical application are undefined. Further, the enormous peak powers achieved by submicrosecond pulses destroy available fiberoptics. We irradiated 797 segments of cadaver atherosclerotic aorta with nanosecond pulses at 266, 308, 355, 532, and 1064 nanometers.

Effects of hematoporphyrin derivative and photodynamic therapy on atherosclerotic rabbits.

This study was performed to demonstrate selective uptake of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) within actively developing atheroma, to localize the site of uptake of HPD within the atheroma, and to determine the potential for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of atherosclerosis in the rabbit model. Fifteen rabbits were rendered atherosclerotic. Five rabbits received neither HPD nor PDT and 2 rabbits received HPD, 10 mg/kg intravenously, without subsequent irradiation.

Laser ablation of human atherosclerotic plaque without adjacent tissue injury.

Seventy samples of human cadaver atherosclerotic aorta were irradiated in vitro using a 308 nm xenon chloride excimer laser. Energy per pulse, pulse duration and frequency were varied. For comparison, 60 segments were also irradiated with an argon ion and an Nd:YAG (neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet) laser operated in the continuous mode.