Abstract
The percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is currentry a widely accepted procedure in the treatment of patients with obstructive coronary artery disease. However, it is associated with the occasional occurence of abrupt closure and the relatively high incidence of restenosis in initially successful cases. To alleviate major factors that appear to contribute abrupt closure and restenosis (thrombogenic surface, dissection, arterial recoil), laserthermal angioplasty was considered to be effective to seal dissections and “weld” dissected atherosclerotic plaque back to the underlying vascular wall. We developed a “hot balloon” angioplastic catheter with use of argon laser thermal energy source to address these problems. As the“hot balloon”is made of teflon, the heat resistance is high. The deflated balloon catheter was inserted in extracted porcine coronary artery and inflated. When the balloon pressure reached 3 atm, 3-6W of argon laser was irradiated for 30-60 sec. When 6W energy was delivered, the balloon temperature reached 100°C within 15 sec and then adventitial temperature was below 40°C.Intimal flap and separated vascular tissue were fused without evidence of thermal effect on adventitia and extravascular tissue. This study indicate the potential role of“hot balloon”angioplasty should be effective in the treatment of important causes of restenosis.
