[Development and evaluation of a spectroscopy system for classification of laser-induced arterial fluorescence...

The present study evaluated the potential of fluorescence guidance of laser angioplasty without using a second laser for fluorescence excitation. A prototype spectroscopy system with a grating spectrograph, microchannel plate, CCD array and digital image processor on a personal computer was developed and coupled to a clinical XeCl excimer laser. Using multifibre catheters, specimens of human aorta were ablated in physiological saline and blood. The spectra thus generated were recorded and validated histologically. Five types of spectra could be differentiated. Based on a training set, classification algorithms were developed using multiple linear regression and linear discriminant analysis with intensity ratios as predictor variables. Discriminant analysis yielded prospective classification of the remaining validation spectra with high sensitivity and specificity for each type. These data demonstrate that fluorescence spectroscopy during excimer laser ablation at 308 nm does not require a diagnostic laser. Principal types of atherosclerotic lesions and the media can be differentiated spectroscopically in physiological saline and blood.