Laser radiation in the treatment of prosthetic graft stenosis. A preliminary study of prosthesis damage by laser energy

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Vasc. Surg.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1067/mva.1987.avs0060221· OSTI ID:5955962

Seeger, J M; Abela, G S; Klingman, N

Transluminal laser recanalization is potentially an important new treatment of anastomotic intimal hyperplasia. However, currently used grafts or sutures may be damaged by laser radiation at power and energy levels required for plaque removal. To investigate this problem, two commonly used grafts (Dacron and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) and two types of vascular suture (polypropylene and PTFE) were exposed to argon laser radiation in vitro. Dacron and PTFE grafts recovered from amputations were also studied to determine whether graft healing affected graft resistance to laser damage. Power and energy levels required to perforate atherosclerotic superficial femoral arteries were determined for comparison. PTFE grafts were significantly (1.5 to 7 times) more resistant to perforation by laser energy than atherosclerotic arteries under all conditions. In contrast, Dacron grafts perforated at power and energy levels one half to one third of that required for vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque. PTFE sutures remained intact at power and energy levels above the levels that perforated atherosclerotic arteries, whereas polypropylene sutures were destroyed by very low levels of power and energy (0.5 joules at 0.5 watts). Because of the variable levels of power and energy that damage different types of prosthetic grafts and sutures, laser angioplasty should only be investigated clinically as a therapy for anastomotic intimal hyperplasia when PTFE grafts and sutures are present.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
• OSTI ID: 5955962
• Journal Information: J. Vasc. Surg.; (United States), Vol. 6:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
BLOOD VESSELS
GRAFTS
LASER RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
IN VITRO
LASERS
POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE
SURGERY
VASCULAR DISEASES
BODY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
DISEASES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
MEDICINE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RADIATIONS
TRANSPLANTS
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
550600 - Medicine