Responses of atherosclerotic aorta to argon laser

✍ Scribed by David J. Dries; Peter F. Lawrence; John Syverud; Farhad Moatamed; John Dixon

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1985
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 275 KB
• Volume: 5
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.1900050414

✦ Synopsis

Lasers have been advocated to resect atherosclerotic plaques in the cardiovascular system, yet little information is available regarding the effects of laser on the range of occlusive lesions seen in the peripheral arterial tree. This study was conducted to assess the risk of perforation in human cadaveric aorta involved with variable degrees of atherosclerosis. Ten fresh segments of atherosclerotic human aorta were graded for extent of atherosclerosis, then subjected to argon laser energy within 48 hours. Using air as the conduction medium and with the fiber tip 2 or 5 mm from the vessel wall, the argon laser was applied to matched calcified and non-calcified arteries at 3.0-7.0 W and 10.0-13.5 W with energy density identical for matched pairs. Results were compared among segments which were normal in appearance or had only fatty streaks grossly with those with gross regional wall calcification. The mean penetration time (T) for calcified and non-calcified lesions at low and high power outputs was compared.