Effect of CO2 laser on the luminal surface of blood vessels in vivo.

The use of lasers as surgical tools may open up new possibilities for the treatment of atherosclerotic occlusive vascular disease. However, basic information regarding the effect of laser radiation to the lumen of normal blood vessels is needed prior to clinical application. This work investigates the nature of the CO2 laser-induced vascular wound and the time course of its healing in the rabbit aorta. The chief short-term problem with CO2 laser radiation of the luminal surface of blood vessels is thrombosis.