Background: Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) aims to improve perfusion of the ventricular wall via laser-created transmural channels. We present the results of TMLR with a holmium laser as sole therapy in patients with angina refractory to medical treatment and extensive coronary artery disease unsuitable for angioplasty or coronary artery by-pass grafting.
Methods: From November 1995 to February 1997, twenty-two patients underwent isolated TMLR with a holmium laser. Five patients (23%) were female; the mean age was 67 +/- 7 years (range 53 to 74 years). Previous myocardial revascularization procedures had been performed in 17 patients (77%). Mean preoperative angina class was 3.4 +/- 0.5 and unstable angina was present in 7 patients (32%).
Results: There were no hospital deaths. The only postoperative complications were transient supraventricular arrhythmias in 6 patients (27%). Each patient received a mean of 33 +/- 8 channels in 27 +/- 13 minutes. There were two late deaths, 40 days and 4 months after TMLR, due to stroke and myocardial infarction, respectively. Mean follow-up duration was 8 +/- 5 months (range 40 days-15 months). The mean number of hospitalizations due to angina fell from 4.9 +/- 1.5 in the 6 months before TMLR to 1.5 +/- 1.0 in the 6 months following surgery (p < 0.001). At follow-up, mean angina class had significantly improved (1.8 +/- 0.6, p < 0.001), as well as effort tolerance, which increased from a mean of 3.5 +/- 1.4 minutes to 5.1 +/- 1.7 minutes (p = 0.01). 201Tl SPECT at 3 and 6 months did not show any significant changes in the segmental perfusion of the lased and unlased areas.
Conclusions: TMLR with a holmium laser is a simple procedure with low operative mortality and morbidity. Short-term results confirm that clinical improvement is obtained in most patients, although this is not supported by significant changes in myocardial perfusion at short-term follow-up.