title: Young Investigator Award. Raman spectroscopy of human atherosclerotic plaque: implications for laser angioplasty.
abstract: Raman spectroscopy is a specialized technique that permits highly specific identification of specimens, in contrast to fluorescence spectroscopy with which analysis of arterial tissues generates spectra that are broad and featureless, with little difference seen between normal artery and atheroma. Various plaque types and the contributions of different arterial fluorophores were studied to determine if Raman spectroscopy could function as a potential guidance modality for laser angioplasty. Arterial specimens obtained at atherectomy and post mortem were studied in air and while immersed in blood. One hundred fifty-six Raman spectra were collected from arterial specimens and chromatographic samples of collagen, elastin, cholesterol, beta-carotene, and L-tryptophan. Analysis showed both fatty and fibrous atherosclerotic plaques to have characteristic spectral peaks at 1,002, 1,154, and 1,516 cm-1, while the Raman spectrum of normal vessel was featureless. Spectral peaks of beta-carotene were nearly identical to those of fatty plaque. The arterial fluorophores collagen, elastin, cholesterol, and L-tryptophan were non-contributory. The Raman spectrum of fatty plaque immersed in a blood field was also detectable, suggesting that this technique may be useful for in vivo plaque recognition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Redd
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D016342:Angioplasty, Laser; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002102:Cadaver; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000473:pathology; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000473:pathology; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman