Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Laser Destroys Atherosclerosis Plaques

Laser Destroys Atherosclerosis Plaques

May 07, 2004

Russian medical professionals are trying to fight atherosclerosis by means of low-intensity infrared laser therapy. The relevant clinical tests are demonstrating successful results.

Atherosclerosis vascular diseases have become the principal cause of disability or death for the population of industrially developed countries. Atherosclerosis plaques cause stenosis of the vessel lumen and restrict normal blood circulation which leads to the development of ischemia, brain strokes, encephalopathy, clogged leg vessels and many other diseases. Though there are considerable achievements in fighting atherosclerosis, medicine has not yet succeeded in conquering it. The main problem is created by atherosclerosis plaques which are hard to get rid of (operations entail various complications). Experts from the Medical Radiological Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, headed by Academician A.F. Tsyba propose using low-intensity infrared laser radiation (LILR) for this purpose. The scientists have conducted laboratory and clinical tests for several years and have made certain of the effectiveness of applying LILR for atherosclerosis treatment.

Low-intensity infrared laser radiation does not damage tissues and does not cause mutations, so it can be used for therapy purposes. Medical scientists from Obninsk applied the Gallium-Arsenide laser with 890 nm wavelength, its radiation penetrating into the skin and most tissues 6-8 cm deeper than that of other LILR types does. The researchers used the pulse radiation method (pulse length at least 50 ns, maximum capacity at least 5W) so that the tissues located at maximal depth could receive as much energy as possible and could not "get used" to the laser exposure. As is customary, the tests were started on rats and then, having selected the optimal radiation modes for specific cases, the researchers got down to the clinical testing.

Applying LILR, the researchers examined and cured 196 patients suffering from leg vascular diseases; 98 males suffering from encephalopathy caused by atherosclerosis of aorta, lung artery and brain vessels; 133 patients with heart diseases. The patients underwent 10-30 LILR treatment séances 10 minutes each: the areas of tissue with diseased vessels underneath were exposed to radiation. The physicians monitored the treatment results with the help of the most advanced diagnostic equipment. In all cases the patients who had undergone the LILR treatment felt much better. The monitoring showed that the vessels having been exposed to radiation grew wider and were filled with blood while atherosclerosis plaques grew smaller. Better still, if the patients are treated by radiation along with the conventional medicine. In such cases the clinical effect of a single séance lasts 24 hours and that of a course of treatment - for about a year.

The patients with heart diseases took the most of the clinical tests. A pseudotherapy background group was formed of them (they were treated with the radiator switched off). They did not feel better but the physicians ascertained that the patients were cured with the help of laser and not by autohypnosis. The results of laboratory experiments and clinical research have led the scientists to the conclusion that LILR can be effectively applied in complex treatment of atherosclerosis damages of brain vessels, myocardium and peripheral arteries.

Informnauka (Informscience) Agency




Related Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News Articles Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News RSS Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News RSS
Bad cholesterol inhibits the breakdown of peripheral fat
he so called bad cholesterol (LDL) inhibits the breakdown of fat in cells of peripheral deposits, according to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet. The discovery reveals a novel function of LDL as a regulator of fat turnover besides its well-established detrimental effects in promoting atherosclerosis.

Vitamin C lowers levels of heart disease biomarker, finds study, adds to debate of health benefits
A new study led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, adds to the evidence that vitamin C supplements can lower concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), a central biomarker of inflammation that has been shown to be a powerful predictor of heart disease and diabetes.

Genetics for personalized coronary heart disease treatment
Identifying a single, common variation in a person's genetic information improves prediction of his or her risk of a heart attack or other heart disease events and thus, choice of the best treatment accordingly, said researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

Low risk for heart attack? Could an ultrasound hold the answer?
By adding the results of an imaging technique to the traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found they were able to improve prediction of heart attacks in people previously considered low risk.

Low-dose aspirin does not appear to reduce risk of CV events in patients with diabetes
Low-dose aspirin as primary prevention did not appear to significantly reduce the risk of a combined end point of coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study in JAMA.

Friend or foe? How the body's clot-busting system speeds up atherosclerosis
Sometimes it's hard to tell friends from foes, biologically speaking. Naturally produced in the body, urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen interact to break up blood clots and recruit clean-up cells to clear away debris related to inflammation. In fact, urokinase manufactured as a drug effectively clears clogged arteries by generating clot-busting plasmin from blood-derived plasminogen.

Mounting evidence shows health benefits of grape polyphenols
A growing body of research data suggests that consuming foods rich in polyphenols from grapes, including red wine, helps reduce the risk of heart disease, according to a review article in the November issue of Nutrition Research.

Statins may prevent miscarriages
Hospital for Special Surgery researchers have found that statins may be able to prevent miscarriages in women who are suffering from pregnancy complications caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), according to a study in mice.

Drug may reduce coronary artery plaque
Research presented at the 20th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF), suggests that olmesartan, a drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure, may play a role in reducing coronary plaque.

LIAI launches new division to look at novel approaches to heart disease and inflammation
While cholesterol-lowering drugs and new technologies have significantly advanced the nation's battle against heart disease, it continues to rank as the No. 1 killer of U.S. men and women. But if researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology (LIAI) have their way, the body's immune system will become an important player in reducing heart disease.
More Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News Articles


Unclog Your Arteries : How I Beat Atherosclerosis
by Gene McDougall

Heart attack or bypass surgery? - or even if not- if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, or a family history of any, read this and then keep it for...



The Nutritional Bypass : Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Surgery
by David W. Rowland

Did you know that there is a time tested, safe, non-surgical method of removing arterial blockages-without side effects? Severe arterial blockages do not have to lead to coronary bypass surgery or heart attacks. Inside this book is a complete program for successfully reversing and preventing hardening of the arteries. You may be surprised to know that cholesterol is not the cause of heart...



Focus On Atherosclerosis Research

Atherosclerosis is a degenerative condition in which arteries build up deposits called plaques (atheromas) which consist of lipids (mainly cholesterol), connective tissue and smooth muscle cells originating from the arterial wall. Plaques develop quietly over a period of years and are unnoticeable until there is an interruption in the normal flow of blood. Plaques may partially or totally block...



Atlas of Atherosclerosis Progression and Regression, Second Edition (The Encyclopedia of Visual Medicine Series)
by Herbert C. Stary

Completely revised and updated, the Second Edition of the Atlas of Atherosclerosis Progression and Regression contains new material and new illustrations from Dr. Stary's groundbreaking work in the field of atherosclerosis diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Over 100 photographs show arterial and lesion structure and individual components in unprecedented detail. These images allow you to...



Biochemistry of Atherosclerosis (Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease)

At its present rate of growth, atherosclerosis will be the major cause of death from disease by the year 2020. Atherosclerosis is an extremely complex, biochemical, multifactorial process. This book will cover many aspects of atherogenesis, with particular emphasis on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. We will cover all aspects of the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis and the importance of...



Atherosclerosis and Autoimmunity
by D. Harats

Hardbound. Presenting further studies in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, this book brings together the knowledge accrued in the past decade concerning the role of immunity in the initiation and perpetuation of atherosclerosis. A strong group of international contributors summarize the diverse aspects of the interrelationship between the immune system and...



Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease

Exploring the entire range of recent advances, Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease covers all aspects of atherosclerotic disease, including chronic manifestations, bypass surgery, stroke prevention and methods to lower blood pressure. Prof. Tonkin brings together a team of internationally-recognized experts to discuss sound clinical practices, based on scientific research and publications. They...



Atlas of Atherosclerosis : Risk Factors and Treatment
by Scott M. Grundy (Editor)

This new edition is an intergral source of information covering topics such as newer coronary risk factors, high- density lipoprotein metabolism, lipid-lowering drugs, endothelium and thrombosis in atherogenesis, and contributing risk factors. With over 500 exceptional photographs, diagrams, and charts, each chapter illustrates an improtant facet of diagnosing and treating this common and often...

Syndromes of Atherosclerosis: Correlations of Clinical Imaging and Pathology

Mount Sinai Medical Center, NY. Research on the diagnosis of atherosclerosis using clinical imaging and pathology. For cardiologists, pathologists, and radiologists. Halftone illustrations and color...

Handbook of Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis
by Jean-Charles (Professor) Fruchart

© 2008 BrightSurf.com