[In vitro studies on pulsed laser angioplasty in liquid and gaseous medium].

Purpose: In a vascular model the mechanisms of a pulsed dye laser working in a liquid and a gaseous environment was tested and documented by means of a high-speed camera.

Methods: The pulse application (630 nm wavelength) on a target of calcified arterial plaque material was detected at intervals of 20 microseconds up to 800 microseconds total time.

Results: In water the laser beam created a cavitation bubble which expanded from 0 to 450 microseconds from a radius 0 to 3 mm and collapsed afterwards.