Focal occlusion of the rabbit carotid artery by endovascular laser therapy.

Laser energy was fiberoptically transmitted into the carotid artery of a series of rabbits to induce an acute focal arterial occlusion. Temporary interruption of blood flow during the treatment was necessary to achieve an occlusion. The arterial occlusive effects of three wavebands of laser energy were compared and the violet band proved the most effective when using 0.3-0.5 Joules/second for 25-30 seconds. There was always the risk of vascular perforation during treatment when laser energy emission was from a bare-tipped optical fiber.