New trends in laser application: atherolysis.
Attempts to define optimal laser sources for vascular recanalization--new phenomenon--decreasing of the atherosclerotic volume under the influence of low-intensity laser beam were made. He-Ne and dye lasers (wave length: 632 nm) were used as a laser source with a mean exposure of 15 +/- 7 min. This phenomenon was established without any administration of exogenous porphyrin and was confirmed by morphological, ultrastructural and immunochemical studies. Ultrastructural investigation revealed that the action of low-intensity bares radiation on atherosclerotic plaque tissue is mediated by destruction of cells in the surface layers of the atherosclerotic arterial segments. It is noteworthy that the necrotic alterations in cells caused by laser radiation were due to primary damage of cytoplasmic structures. These observations were used in view of a new method of treating atherosclerotic lesions by transluminal laser atherolysis (TLA). Both TLA (37 patients) or laser illumination of vessels added to the conventional ball on angioplasty (25 patients) showed good patency after mechanical recanalization (9 patients). The procedure was verified by digital angiography, direct angioscopy, Doppler etc. The successful rate (82%) has proved that laser atherolysis is an effective tool in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.
Kipshidze
N
N
Bakulev Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of USSR AMS, Moscow.
Petrosyan
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D016342:Angioplasty, Laser; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D014463:Ultrasonography