Laser-induced Vascular Lesions by cw-NdYAG or Pulsed UV Lasers during Angioplastic Procedures

Summary

Conventional (NdYAG, Argon and CO₂ lasers) laser and pulsed far ultraviolet laser radiation are able to remove arteriosclerotic tissue of the arterial wall. However, there is a striking difference between both systems: The continuous wave of conventional wave-length laser-radiation produces considerable thermal injury to the surrounding tissue, whereas the effect of pulsed far ultraviolet radiation induces less or no thermal damage despite an easily assessable tissueremoving effect. In the following study the potential of far UV laser-radiation for recanalization of occluded vessels is demonstrated in in-vitro experiments on fresh and well preserved atherosclerotic human vessels.

Key words

Laser angioplasty - NdYAG laser - Far ultraviolet laser - Laser-induced vascular lesions