The effects of varying lengths and powers of CO2 laser pulses transmitted through an optical fiber on atherosclerotic plaques.
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.
Eldar
M
M
Battler
A
A
Gal
D
D
Rath
S
S
Rotstein
Z
Z
Neufeld
H N
HN
Akselrod
S
S
Katzir
A
A
Gaton
E
E
Wolman
M
M
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
D002245:Carbon Dioxide