Impact of low-power red laser light on restenosis following balloon angioplasty

摘要

Abstract: Despite the widespread application of balloon angioplasty for the treatment of coronary artery disease, restenosis limits the clinical benefits of the procedure. Restenosis is a complex process and may be partly attributed to the inability of the vascular endothelium to regenerate and cover the denuded area at the site of arterial injury. We previously demonstrated that low power red laser light (LPRLL) stimulates endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and contributes to rapid endothelial regeneration following balloon injury in nonatherosclerotic rabbits. We evaluated the long term impact of intravascular LPRLL on restenosis in an atherosclerotic rabbit mode. Rabbit abdominal aortas were subjected to balloon dilatation and balloon dilatation plus laser illumination. Intravascular laser therapy was performed using a 3.0 mm laser-balloon catheter. All rabbits received a single dose of 10 mW for 3 minutes generated from a He-Ne laser. Angiography was performed before and after treatment, and repeated at 60 days prior to harvesting the aortas. Quantitative angiography, morphometric, and histologic analysis revealed that LPRLL treatment prevented balloon-induced adverse changes including intimal proliferation. We conclude that intravascular LPRLL reduces restenosis following balloon angioplasty. !14