Topical application of {beta}-radiation to reduce intimal hyperplasia after carotid artery balloon injury in rabbit A possible application for brachytherapy in vascular surgery

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2002 · Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1522-1865(02)00137-3· OSTI ID:20650536

Rosenthal, David; Stevens, Scott L; Skillern, C S; Wellons, Eric D; Robinson, Keith; Matsuura, John H; Gannon, Brian J

Purpose: Endovascular brachytherapy for the prevention of intimal hyperplasia (IH) and restenosis after balloon/stent angioplasty has proven effective both in animal preparations and clinical trials. A variety of {beta}-emitting isotopes and catheter-based devices have been developed for the delivery of low-dose radiation in clinical coronary and peripheral trials. No platform, however, has yet been developed for brachytherapy in concert with vascular surgical operations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vascular histopathologic response following balloon injury to rabbit carotid arteries with and without topically applied low-dose {beta}-radiation. Methods: The {beta}-emitting isotope strontium-90 (Sr-90) was conjugated onto the matrix of polypropylene (PLYP) mesh. Rabbit carotid arteries were balloon-injured with a no. 2 embolectomy catheter. Six carotid arteries were wrapped with nonradioactive PLYP mesh (controls) and Sr-90 ({approx}90 {mu}Ci) PLYP mesh in order to deliver low-dose radiation to the vessel wall from the external (adventitial) surface. Tissue was harvested at 6 weeks and processed for histologic examination. Results: There was consistent blockade of fibrocellular neointima formation with virtually no neointima present in all treated segments, compared to moderate neointima formation in controls. Medial thinning and smooth muscle cell (SMC) necrosis were also associated with topical brachytherapy. Conclusion: {beta}-Radiation applied by an externally wrapped PLYP mesh labeled with Sr-90 markedly suppressed neointima formation in an animal vascular surgical injury model. Further studies, however, are necessary to determine a suitable isotope and dosage for clinical application.

• OSTI ID: 20650536
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine, Journal Name: Cardiovascular Radiation Medicine Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 3; ISSN 1522-1865
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BRACHYTHERAPY
CAROTID ARTERIES
CLINICAL TRIALS
CORONARIES
INJURIES
MUSCLES
NECROSIS
POLYPROPYLENE
RABBITS
RADIATION DOSES
STRONTIUM 90
SURGERY