Laser applications to arteriosclerosis: angioplasty, angioscopy, and open endarterectomy.

We have studied laser radiation of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease to determine the best technique for evaluation. Rabbits with arteriosclerosis were treated by intraluminal laser angioplasty (N = 8), laser angioscopy (N = 2), and open laser endarterectomy (N = 5). All studies were performed with an argon ion laser delivering energy through a 400-microns quartz fiber. Power delivered was varied in order to determine the best value for this animal model. Following angioplasty, perforation was seen in three rabbits (in one case, it was due to mechanical trauma from the fiber optic), and early thrombosis occurred in two rabbits. Plaques were vaporized by angioscopy, but the depth of laser beam penetration or angle of incidence could not be controlled. Open laser endarterectomy gave consistently good results with removal of an arteriosclerotic plaque within the media. The optimum power was found to be 1.0-2.0 W. Endarterectomy required an energy density of 100-140 J/cm2. We conclude that open laser endarterectomy can be a standardized technique for the in vivo evaluation of laser radiation upon arteriosclerotic lesions.