title: Endoluminal phototherapy for prevention of restenosis: preliminary results at 6-month follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this observational study was to investigate safety and efficacy of laser phototherapy (LPh) in prevention of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Laser irradiation is known to cause a limitation of the local inflammatory cascade and a stimulation of proliferation of specific cells. Based on the results of previous experiments proving the beneficial effects of laser light on the activity of vascular and inflammatory cells, we attempted to use these properties to prevent restenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laser phototherapy was performed in 41 patients after stent implantation or balloon angioplasty. Illumination power of 100 mW and energy dose equal to 9 J/cm(2) was used. Patients were monitored for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after 30 days and 6 months. At 6 months, angiography as a control was performed to assess the influence of LPh on restenosis rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Angiographic follow-up (n = 30) revealed restenosis in 9% and 25% of patients after stent implantation and balloon angioplasty, respectively. The MACE rate was 4.5% and 12.5% in stent and balloon-treated patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser phototherapy gives very promising results in restenosis prevention, especially after stent implantation. The treatment method is safe, with a low rate of MACE in follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Arkadiusz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Derkacz
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Protasiewicz
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kipshidze
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biały
authors.forename: Rafał
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Poreba
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bereś-Pawlik
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abramski
authors.forename: Andwalentyna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazurek
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents