Photodynamic Therapy for Vascular Disease

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a new approach to treat the cardio-vascular diseases. Several photosensitizers were selectively accumulated in atherosclerotic plaques. A tunable diode laser was developed and was useful to activate the photosensitizer. Atheroma could be destroyed by photodynamic therapy. Intimal hyperplasia of the artery could also be suppressed by the combination of laser irradiation and a photosensitizer. We reviewed a new trend of photodynamic therapy in the field of atherosclerosis and vascular intimal hyperplasia.