Laser revascularization of ischemic skeletal muscle.
BACKGROUND
Clinical trials have shown that transmyocardial laser revascularization is an effective secondary treatment for ischemic heart disease patients. Laser revascularization may also provide an alternative method for treating peripheral vascular disease.


METHODS
The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for laser revascularization in ischemic skeletal muscle. Eighteen rabbits (3-4 kg) were instrumented chronically with transit time ultrasound flowprobes on both common iliac arteries. All rabbits performed graded exercise tests on a treadmill where maximal blood flow was recorded. Unilateral hindlimb ischemia was produced by ligation of one femoral artery. At week 3 postligation, 10 rabbits received laser therapy and 8 underwent a sham surgery. In each of four muscles (gracilius, medialis, sartorius, and biceps femoris) 5 to 22 laser channels were created (average = 52 channels per leg).


RESULTS
At week 3 postligation the maximal blood flow of the ischemic limb for the treated group was 64 +/- 3 ml/min (mean +/- SEM) and at 6 weeks postlaser therapy maximal blood flow increased to 75 +/- 5 ml/min. The sham surgery group had a maximal blood flow of 58 +/- 4 ml/min at week 3 postligation and 66 +/- 3 ml/min at week 6 postsham surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that laser therapy does not induce angiogenesis and vascular remodeling in the ischemic hindlimb of a rabbit which exceeds that seen with a sham surgery.
Buckwalter
John B
JB
Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin and VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA. jbuckwal@mew.edu
Curtis
Valerie C
VC
Ruble
Stephen B
SB
Valic
Zoran
Z
Hamann
Jason J
JJ
Coon
R L
RL
Mirhoseini
M
M
Clifford
Philip S
PS
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006339:Heart Rate; D007083:Iliac Artery; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008026:Ligation; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000502:physiology*; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011817:Rabbits