Transmyocardial Laser Revascularization: Single-Institution Experience

Objective: The standard revascularisation methods have not proved effective enough in situations of very diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). One of the methods to solve this situation is transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR). Methods and results: 35 patients have undergone surgical treatment since November 2003. All operations had done TMLR as an adjunct to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).All patients had 3 vessels disease. At a median follow up 6 months after operation 78 % of patients were free of angina pectoris. All patients before operation were in III and IV Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCVS) angina class, after operation at follow up time were in class 0 - II CCVS. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy shows significant improvement of myocardial perfusion. In control group were 50 patients with three vessels disease, all of the patients underwent isolated CABG surgery on pump. No statistical significant differences were found in Troponin I level, postoperative bleeding compared with isolated CABG. Conclusions: TMLR is minimally traumatic and effective treating method in combination with CABG.