Search

The procedure of percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with the 30% risk of restenosis in the dilatated coronary artery. in order to minimize its occurrence we developed the method of intracoronary low power laser irradiation and called it the photoremodling. We developed and constructed at total set-up for the intravascular illumination. It consists of the laser diode connected with a multimode step-index silica fiber 200/270 μm terminated with a special fiber diffuser, which allows to irradiate homogeneously a coronary vessel in the place of dilatation. The diffuser is inserted into the coronary vessel by a modificated angioplasty catheter. Till now PTCA plus photoremodeling procedures have been carried out in 40 patients (28 with stent implantation and 12 with balloon angioplasty). We did not observed any side effects and complications of the procedure. All patients were qualified for 6 months follow-up, which was terminated in 19 cases with a control coronarography. We did not find any case of restenosis in the stent group. In the group of patients after balloon angioplasty restenosis rate was 25%. The new method of treatment is safe. The preliminary results seem to be beneficial especially in the case of stent implantation.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Background: Although there are several methods for atherosclerosis detection available, none of them seems to be accurate enough to identify the vulnerable atheroscleroitc plaque. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and therapy (PDT) -- a new method evaluated for neoplasms treatment is a modern approach to detecting and treating atherosclerosis. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess in vitro the capability of PDD with use of chlorin e6 to recognize atherosclerotic plaque and its usefulness as a feedback system for photoangioplasty treatment. Methods: 30 specimens of human aorta. The samples were soaked with chlorin e6 and then washed out. The luminescence spectra were then collected. All samples were examined with light microscopy. Results: Tissue fluorescence is seen as green light. We noted a very strong red fluorescence of chlorin e6 originating from lipid reach plaque. We established a quantitative factor which would be the ratio R of chlorin e6 red intensity in its 660 nm maximum compared to the area of green luminescence centered at 515 nm. The highest value of the ratio was reached at atheromatous samples, then calcified and normal ones R2 = 3.51 ± 0.62, R3 = 1.63 ± 0.31, R1 = 1.51 ± 0.15 respectively. Statistically significant difference was noted between group two and one and between group two and three R2 = 3.51 ± 0.62 vs R3 = 1.63 ± 0.31 (p < 0,05); R2 = 3.51 ± 0.62 vs. R1 = 1.51 ± 0.15 (p

The treatment method presented in this paper is an adjunct to coronary angioplasty. It consists in irradiating a previously dilated artery with laser light which stimulates endothelium proliferation and reduces local inflammation. The influence of 808 nm laser light on the endothelium was studied in vitro. Because of the location of atherosclerotic plaques, illumination of the endothelium poses a problem. To overcome it, we have designed and built a laser set-up for homogeneous intravascular illumination in vivo.