The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether photodynamic therapy (PDT) can destroy the proliferating smooth muscle cells and therefore suppress the occurrence of restenosis after angioplasty. PDT following administration of hematoporphyrin derivatives (HpD) 24 hours before irradiation was performed on 30 rabbits immediately (0D), 3 days (3D), 1 week (1W) and 2 weeks (2W) after balloon injury. HpD accumulation of each group was investigated simultaneously. Irradiation of 27 J/10 mm² from an Hg-Xe flash lamp light transmitted through an 800 micrometers quartz fiber with a diffusing tip was used. All rabbits were sacrificed 4 weeks after balloon injury. The results were expressed in terms of intima:media thickness ratio at the site of fiber contact (I/M) and intima:media area ratio of the cross section (IA/MA). Inhibition of intimal thickening evaluated on the basis of the I/M ratio was recognized in the 3D-, 1W-, and 2W-PDT group. The most effective photoradiation was at the 1W-PDT (I/M equals 0.78 +/- 0.67), but in 2W-PDT intimal necrosis resulting in a small amount of thickness was observed with less media necrosis. ThreeD and 0D PDT effects reduced with media necrosis. We conclude that PDT after angioplasty would be an ideal preventional therapy of restenosis.

Date Published: 23 June 1993
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 1878, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Interventions III, (23 June 1993); doi: 10.1117/12.146574

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1878:
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiovascular Interventions III
George S. Abela M.D., Editor(s)