PURPOSE: To determine experimentally the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with indocyanine green (ICG) dye in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization. METHODS: Following the creation of choroidal neovascularization in the retina of 18 pigmented rats (36 eyes), and ICG dye injection (10 mg/kg) in 18 of the eyes, the authors performed PDT, at intensity of 60 mW, spot size of 2.0 mm, and duration of 20 seconds within 2 minutes after ICG dye injection. 0ne, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after PDT, the authors examined the retina for any signs of regression through angiogram and light microscope. RESULTS: When authors conducted PDT after injecting ICG dye into pigmented rats, there was no significant damage to retina when the intensity was set at 60mW with duration of 10 or 20 seconds. Choroidal neovascularization was found in 18 eyes after argon laser photocoagulation, and regression of neovascularization was confirmed through angiogram and pathologic examination after PDT was performed with ICG dye. Pathologic views revealed significant fibrosis and fibrinoid necrosis. The control group consisting of 18 eyes in which no diode laser photocoagulation was performed, showed no regression of choroidal neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: PDT with ICG dye was found to be quite effective in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization.
Animals ; Argon ; Choroid* ; Choroidal Neovascularization* ; Fibrosis ; Indocyanine Green* ; Lasers, Semiconductor ; Light Coagulation ; Necrosis ; Photochemotherapy* ; Rats ; Retina

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The exercise ECG test (XECG) and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) have been used widely in initial evaluations of coronary artery disease (CAD) in real-world practice. In this study, we compared the diagnostic power of CTCA and XECG, based on conventional coronary angiography (CCA). METHODS: We enrolled 589 consecutive patients retrospectively who had been examined with both XECG and CTCA for the evaluation of CAD in outpatient clinics. Significant stenosis was defined as more than 50% diameter stenosis. Triage to CCA and/or revascularization treatment (RT) by the results of XECG and CTCA and the diagnostic accuracy of both exams, based on CCA, were investigated. RESULTS: In the 589 patients, 107 (19%) were triaged to CCA for further evaluation; in 77 (12.8%) significant stenosis was detected on CCA. Also, 65 (11%) patients underwent RT. In the CTCA results, 120 patients had significant stenosis. Of them, 58 (48%) and 75 (62%) patients were triaged to RT and CCA, respectively. Based on the XECG, 115 positive patients were triaged to RT and CCA (23 [20%]/41 [35%]). Among 107 patients with CCA, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for significant stenosis on CCA of CTCA were 89.9%, 74.0%, 90.6%, and 71.4%, respectively, and those of XECG were 50.0, 67.9, 78.0, and 37.3, respectively. The kappa value of CCA and CTCA was 0.62 (p < 0.001) and that of CCA and XECG was 0.145 (p = 0.113). CONCLUSIONS: In real-world practice, CCA was decided on more frequently, based on CTCA. CTCA showed better diagnostic accuracy than XECG.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Triage