The photosensitizer, mono-L-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6), specifically accumulates in theatheromatous plaque. We detected the fluorescence spectra of NPe6 emitted fromatheromatous plaques on the descending thoracic aorta by an angioscopic approach usingthe animal model of atherosclerosis. We also showed that a fluorescence spectrum peak at675 nm was obtained laparoscopically only in parts of the abdominal aorta with anatheromatous plaque. By a fluorescence endoscope, atheromatous plaques on the carotidartery were recognized as reddish spots from outside the artery. In addition, we visualizedspecifically at the beating heart surface small coronary atherosclerosis using an epifluorescencestereoscope system.
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