title: The effects of varying lengths and powers of CO2 laser pulses transmitted through an optical fiber on atherosclerotic plaques.
abstract: We have studied the changes induced in atherosclerotic arteries by a CO2 laser beam delivered through a silver halide optical fiber. We found that the crater depth and diameter correlate with the total energy delivered and with the mode of delivery. Short-duration high-power pulses caused shallower and narrower craters and less damage to the arterial wall compared to the same energy delivered as low-power pulses of long duration. Thus, high-power pulses for short periods may be an effective and safe procedure for evaporization of atherosclerotic plaques.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eldar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battler
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rotstein
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Neufeld
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akselrod
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katzir
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gaton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolman
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007834:Lasers / Q000379:methods; D055100:Optical Fibers
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide