The aim of this article is to summarize and review the use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of atherosclerotic plaque and the prevention of intimal hyperplasia. Different photosensitizers are discussed and more specific the role of indocyanine green as a potential photosensitizer. Methods: Literature search with focus on the use of photodynamic therapy in atherosclerosis, the mechanism of action and the different photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. Results: In-vitro and in-vivo studies confirm the use of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis and the prevention of restenosis. Non-specific accumulation of photosensitizer and thus phototoxicity, remains an important problem. Indocyanine green is a photosensitizer with features in favor of photodynamic therapy. The results of photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green point towards the potential of indocyanine green as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for atherosclerosis. Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy is a promising tool for atherosclerosis. Many of the studied photosensitizers have toxic effects. Indocyanine green might be a good photosensitizer for the use of photodynamic therapy in atherosclerosis. These data justify further research to the use of indocyanine green as a photosensitizer in the treatment of atherosclerotic plaque both de novo or in restenotic lesions.

Surg 2008;35:715-22. Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of a bioresorbable paclitaxel-eluting wrap implanted with a synthetic vascular graft (treatment) versus the graft implanted alone (control).Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre, 2-year clinical study conducted in adults scheduled to undergo femoropopliteal peripheral bypass surgery with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft.Materials and methods: Hundred and nine subjects were randomized 2:1 to treatment or control. All subjects were implanted with a 6 mm expanded PTFE vascular graft; in addition, treated subjects had a 2.5 cm ϫ 4 cm paclitaxel-eluting wrap (1.6 g/mm 2 ) placed around the distal graft anastomosis.Results: The overall incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups. Treated subjects required fewer limb amputations than controls (15.5% vs 18.4%) and time to amputation for those that required amputation was twice as long (153 days vs 76 days). Among diabetics, this effect was pronounced with 13.8% of treated subjects requiring limb amputations compared with 23.5% of controls. Over the course of study, the diameter at the distal graft anastomosis was greater in treated subjects than in controls (difference of 2.1 mm at 2 yr, p ϭ 0.03).Conclusions: The paclitaxel-eluting wrap maintained graft patency at the distal anastomosis and was safe to use in patients who had received a peripheral bypass PTFE graft.