Transmyocardial laser revascularization with the holmium:YAG laser: loss of symptomatic improvement after 2 years

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 164 - 169
• Main Authors: Schneider, J., Diegeler, A., Krakor, R., Walther, T., Kluge, R., Mohr, F.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science B.V 01.02.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Aged; Angina Pectoris - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Coronary disease; Diseases of the cardiovascular system; Exercise Tolerance; Female; Holmium; Humans; Laser surgery; Laser Therapy; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocardial Revascularization - methods; Myocardium; Prospective Studies; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Transmyocardial revascularization; Ventricular Function, Left; Yttrium; Myocardium; Transmyocardial revascularization; Laser surgery; Coronary disease; Holmium; Human; Cardiac performance; Prognosis; Physical performance; Treatment efficiency; YAG laser; Instrumentation therapy; Cardiovascular disease; Exploration; Angina pectoris; Coronary heart disease; Long term; Quality of life; Symptomatology; Treatment; Aortocoronary; Bypass; Surgery; Graft; Combined treatment; Comparative study; Revascularization
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1010-7940(00)00652-7

Objective: Whether transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) provides a long-term benefit in terms of relief of angina, improvement of exercise tolerance, left ventricular function, and myocardial perfusion. Methods: Forty-one patients underwent TMLR using a holmium:YAG-laser, 14 as TMLR alone (group A), 27 with additional aortocoronary bypass grafting (group B). Follow-up was obtained at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months in this prospective study. Results: In group A patients CCS-class improved up to 18 months postoperatively, after 24 and 36 months postoperatively there was absence of a positive effect of TMLR: the CCS-class decreased to 2.4 as compared to 3.5 preoperatively After combined CABG and TMLR (group B) there was a significant decrease in angina at all times. The CCS-functional class in these patients was 1.7 at 36 months as compared to 3.5 preoperatively. There was no significant change in exercise tolerance as compared to preoperatively. Left ventricular ejection fraction did not improve in either of the groups. Thallium scintigraphy indicated no improvement in myocardial perfusion in laser treated areas. The perioperative mortality was 0%, the late mortality rate was 36% in group A and 11% in group B. Conclusions: In our experience, in the vast majority of patients who are subjected to TMLR alone the benefit of reduction or relief of angina and improvement in quality of life is only temporary. In addition there is no improvement in objective clinical parameters. We believe that TMLR should only be used in patients with severe angina refractory to medical treatment and requiring a symptomatic therapy.