Energy threshold for argon laser ablation of arterial plaque

Argon ion laser energy has been used for the removal of atheromatous plaque in vitro and in vivo and is a promising technique in recanalizing arterial channels for the surgical treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.1–4 It is important to understand the mechanism of tissue removal and laser tissue interaction to optimize the most efficient and safest method to deliver argon ion energy intravascularly, as well as the most appropriate wavelength, and dosage, optical geometry and methods to limit the laser activity to the intraluminal occlusion without danaging other tissues, including the vessel wall.