Method for disruption and re-canalization of atherosclerotic plaques in coronary vessels with photothermal bubbles generated around gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Background and objectives: Rapid and safe re-canalization of totally occluded coronary vessels, especially those with the calcified plaques, represent a challenge for cardiology.

Study design/materials and methods: We have suggested to employ photothermal microbubbles (PTMBs) that are generated around injected to plaque or thrombus gold nanoparticles with a short laser pulse for selective mechanical disruption and removal of the plaque tissue and without thermal and mechanical damage to arterial wall. PTMBs were generated in vitro around 30-250 nm gold spheres and with 10 nanoseconds laser pulse at 532 nm in three models: the layer of the living fibroblasts, the epoxy layers, and human arteries with plaques.

Results: In all three models, complete removal of the material was observed after 1-10 single laser pulses. The size of cleared zones (20-220 microm) was found to be 500-1,000 times bigger than the size of the nanoparticles applied. PTMB generation did not increase the temperature of the microenvironment outside PTMB and the debris size was below 2 microm.

Conclusions: New proposed method for non-thermal mechanical and localized removal of plaque tissue with PTMB can provide safe and rapid re-canalization of totally occluded and calcified arteries without collateral damage.