BACKGROUND Transmyocardial laser revascularization is a new therapy for patients with refractory angina. Although clinical studies suggest that transmyocardial laser revascularization decreases angina and may improve regional blood flow, the underlying mechanisms are not elucidated. We hypothesized that one mechanism may relate to stimulation of vascular growth in laser-treated regions. METHO...

BACKGROUND Transmyocardial revascularization with a CO2 laser appears to improve symptoms in patients with refractory angina. However, it remains controversial as to whether blood flow through the channels is the mechanism of benefit, especially in the acute setting. METHODS AND RESULTS Three protocols were used to test whether blood flows through transmyocardial CO2 laser revascularization c...

Low-powered lasers were first used in the early 1980s to produce transventricular channels as an adjunct to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Early results were encouraging, but because of the combined procedure, could not be attributed directly to use of the laser [1]. High-powered lasers were introduced into clinical practice in 1990 [2]. These lasers are powerful enough to create ...

Background Transmyocardial laser revascularization is an indirect method of treatment CAD. Many authors underline benefits from TMLR as an additional procedure for patients in whom complete revascularization is not reachable. Channels created by the laser stimulate inflammation, which results in TMLR-related neoangiogenesis. The aim of the study was to establish the long-term follow-up after TMLR.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of transmyocardial revascularization performed on patients with refractory class IV or unstable angina with a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. METHODS Transmyocardial revascularization with a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser was performed in 42 patients with refractory angina who were not candidates for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplas...