Dose-dependent smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by thermal injury with pulsed infrared lasers

Pulsed infrared localized thermal lesions heating to 30°C above SMC proliferation in Neointimal proliferation laser irradiation induced in arteries by transiently ambient and subsequent rabbits by 3-4 weeks. exhibited a clear dose dependence both as laser fluence was increased (R=0.83) and for a fixed surface irradiation as the depth of the nearest arterial media was decreased (R=0.95). Thermal injury to the arterial wall is shown to be potent stimulus for SMC proliferation, favoring reduction in energies used in laser or thermal angioplasty.