Use of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy for identification of atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to identify the presence of atherosclerotic plaque in the human carotid artery using near infrared Raman spectroscopy. Background Data: Atherosclerosis is the most common and serious pathology of the cardiovascular system. Raman spectroscopy is an analytical tool that can be used to gather information about both the morphology and chemical composition of tissues. Methods: A Ti:sapphire laser operating at the near-infrared wavelength of 830 nm pumped by an argon laser was used for excitation of the samples, and the Raman scattering was detected by an optical spectrometer with a liquid-nitrogen-cooled CCD detector. Carotid artery samples were classified into five groups: normal, intimal thickening, fatty plaque, fibrous-fatty plaque, and fibrous-calcified plaque. Results: It was observed that the Raman spectrum of atheromatous plaque was different that that of normal tissue. The spectra of atheromatous plaques had bands due to the presence of cholesterol and its esters, ...