[Spatial fluorescence imaging of atherosclerotic plaque: contrast enhancement by 2 wavelength laser stimulation,...

A new video-enhanced fluorescence imaging technique has been used for the first time for in vitro differentiation of human atherosclerotic plaques vs normal arterial wall. Laser-induced superficial tissue fluorescence of specimens from human aorta was documented after alternating excitation with violet (405 nm +/- 5 nm) and blue (470 nm +/- 10 nm) krypton-ion laser light. Subsequent digital subtraction of the corresponding fluorescence images allowed to differentiate areas of atherosclerosis from normal intima. Fluorescence intensity was correlated with the morphological aspect of samples and histology of the plaque. Dihematoporphyrin-ether/ester (DHE) incubation enhanced fluorescence contrast of plaques in comparison to normal artery vessel wall. Depending on the concentration of the incubation solution (10, 20, and 40 micrograms DHE/ml NaCl solution), fluorescence increased. Fluorescence intensity was highest in fatty plaque areas, while calcific lesions showed no substantial DHE uptake.