Photodynamic therapy for atherosclerosis. The potential of indocyanine green

•Prevention and treatment of restenosis in cardiovascular disease is an important problem.•Cardiovascular applications of photodynamic therapy are evaluated.•The ideal photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy in atherosclerosis is an unresolved question.•The role of indocyanine green as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for atherosclerosis deserves further research. 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 specifically the role of indocyanine green as a potential photosensitizer. Literature search with focus on the use of photodynamic therapy in atherosclerosis, the mechanism of action and the different photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy. In-vitro and in-vivo studies confirm the possibilities of using photodynamic therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis and the prevention of restenosis. Insufficient specificity in the accumulation of photosensitizer and thus phototoxicity, remains an important problem. Indocyanine green is a photosensitizer with features in favor of photodynamic therapy. Results obtained so far of photodynamic therapy with indocyanine green point towards the potential of indocyanine green as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy for atherosclerosis. Photodynamic therapy is a promising tool for treating 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.