In vitro effects of argon laser radiation on blood: quantitative and morphologic analysis

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(85)80042-5· OSTI ID:5606139

Abela, G S; Crea, F; Smith, W; Pepine, C J; Conti, C R

Use of the argon laser to recanalize stenosed arteries may require delivery of the beam through blood. To assess the degree of hemolysis and debris formation, 84 samples of citrated whole blood were exposed to argon laser radiation with varying power (1, 2 and 3 watts) and duration (5, 10, 20 and 40 seconds). Compared with control samples, only blood samples exposed to a power of 3 watts for 40 seconds showed a marked decrease in hematocrit (from 37 +/- 1.3 to 33 +/- 1.4%, p less than 0.01) and a marked increase in both free hemoglobin concentration (from 0.2 +/- 0.2 to 1.3 +/- 0.5 g/100 ml, p less than 0.01) and debris weight (from 0.9 +/- 0.3 to 2.8 +/- 0.5 mg, p less than 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy of debris from samples of whole blood, washed erythrocytes and platelet-rich plasma lased at 3 watts for 40 seconds documented the presence of membrane denaturation of blood elements, resulting in their fusion to form complex mesh-like conglomerates. Similar morphologic changes were observed in whole blood samples exposed to a ''hot tip'' rather than laser radiation. These data indicate that: 1) argon laser radiation with a power of 3 watts does not produce apparent hemolysis or debris formation for exposure periods up to 20 seconds, and 2) the effects of laser radiation on blood are probably mediated by thermal denaturation of cell membranes, as suggested by the same morphologic changes produced by thermal injury from a ''hot tip.''

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5606139
• Journal Information: J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.; (United States), Vol. 5:2 Pt 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BLOOD
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
LASER RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ARTERIES
BLOOD PLATELETS
CELL MEMBRANES
ERYTHROCYTES
HEMOLYSIS
IN VITRO
LASERS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD CELLS
BLOOD VESSELS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CELL CONSTITUENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
LYSIS
MATERIALS
MEMBRANES
MICROSCOPY
ORGANS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
RADIATIONS
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects