Near Infrared Raman Spectroscopy to detect the calcification of the annular mitral valve

摘要

Cardiac valves are subjected to high repetitive mechanical st resses, particularly at the hinge points of the cusps and leaflets d ue to the over 40 m illions cardiac cycles p er y ear. T hese delicate st ructures c an su ffer c umulative 1 esions, complicated by the deposition of calcium phosphate mineral, which may lead to clinically important disease Near Infrared Raman Spectroscopy gives important information about biological tissues composition and it is being used for diagnosis of some pathologies. The aim of this work was to detect trough the use of the Raman Spectroscopy technique the mitral annular calcification. A Ti:saphire laser operating at the near infrared wavelength of 785 nm was used for the excitation of the valve samples and the Raman radiation was detected by an optical spectrometer with a CCD liquid nitrogen cooled detector. In all, ten samples of normal and pathologic tissues were studied. They were approximately squared with the lateral size of 5 mm. It was observed that the Raman spectrum of the calcified mitral valve showed different behavior, when compared to normal tissues. Results indicate that this technique could be used to detect the deposition of the calcium phosphate mineral over the mitral valve.