Method for improving treatment selectivity and efficacy using intravascular photodynamic therapy

Abstract

A method in which photodynamic therapy is employed to inhibit, stabilize or reduce occlusions within the cardiovascular system by utilizing light within the spectral region of approximately 390 to approximately 610 nm.

1 . A method of PDT treatment employed to inhibit, stabilize or reduce occlusions within the cardiovascular system comprising the steps of: 
 administering a photosensitizer drug other than psoralen compounds; and    delivering an intravascular photoactivating light to the blood vessel at an activiation wavelength within the range of about 390 to 610 nm such that the molar extinction coefficient of the photosensitizer drug at the activation wavelength is at least 1000 L cm −1  M −1 .    
     
     
         2 . A method of PDT treatment employed to inhibit, stabilize or reduce occlusions within the cardiovascular system comprising the steps of: 
 administering a photosensitizer drug; and    delivering a photoactivating light to the blood vessel with an intravascular light delivering device at an activation wavelength within the range of about 440 to 610 nm such that the molar extinction coefficient of said drug at the activation is at least 1000 L cm −1  M −1 .