Review on Laser Technology in Intravascular Imaging and Treatment

Blood vessels are one of the most essential organs, which nourish all tissues in our body. Once there are intravascular plaques or vascular occlusion, other organs and circulatory systems will not work properly. Therefore, it is necessary to detect abnormal blood vessels by intravascular imaging technologies for subsequent vascular treatment. The emergence of lasers and fiber optics promotes the development of intravascular imaging and treatment. Laser imaging techniques can obtain deep vascular images owing to light scattering and absorption properties. Moreover, photothermal and photomechanical effects of laser make it possible to treat vascular diseases accurately. In this review, we present the research progress and applications of laser techniques in intravascular imaging and treatment. Firstly, we introduce intravascular optical coherent tomography and intravascular photoacoustic imaging, which can obtain various information of plaques. Multimodal intravascular imaging techniques provide more information about intravascular plaques, which have an essential influence on intravascular imaging. Secondly, two laser techniques including laser angioplasty and endovenous laser ablation are discussed for the treatment of arterial and venous diseases, respectively. Finally, the outlook of laser techniques in blood vessels, as well as the integration of laser imaging and treatment are prospected in the section of discussions.