Angioscopic visualization of blood vessel interior in animals and humans.

The purpose of this study is to describe the use of angioscopes in flowing bloodstreams of animals and humans, to demonstrate the ability to precisely deliver laser energy to an intravascular target using visual guidance and to determine the information content and spatial content of angioscopy. Angioscopy was performed in 5 living dogs, 16 cadaver vascular segments, and 14 patients at the time of peripheral or coronary bypass surgery. Five canine femoral artery segments received angioscopically directed intravascular Nd:YAG laser irradiation. We were able to precisely direct the laser irradiation to predetermined intimal targets. Gross tissue injury varied from none to carbonization and vascular perforation, depending on incident energy. Using a variety of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes ranging in diameter from 1.5 to 3.7 mm, we were able to visualize intravascular structures including plaque, suture lines, venous valves, and thrombi in living patients. No patient incurred complications of any sort. We conclude that angioscopy using flexible endoscopes can be performed safely, can provide clinically useful information, and may provide a means for delivering visually directed intravascular laser irradiation.