Holmium: YAG laser transmyocardial revascularization relieves angina and improves functional status

Background. Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) surgery uses laser channeling of diseased myocardium to treat ischemia and angina. Rigorous prospective randomized studies have been previously unavailable. Methods. Forty-three patients were randomized to a medication group and 43 to a group scheduled for TMR surgery and medication. All had advanced cardiac ischemia with CCSA class 3 or 4 angina, took at least 2 cardiac medications at maximum doses, and were ineligible for angioplasty or bypass. Results. Forty-two of 43 TMR group patients received surgery and were discharged after hospitalizations averaging 3.2 days. Two suffered perioperative MIs, with one death. Four others died within 12 months of surgery, 3 from cardiac events and 1 from pneumonia. Five medical group patients died from cardiac events within 12 months. Three, 6, and 12 month exams showed angina class improvement in TMR patients compared to preoperative values (3.86 ± 0.05 vs 1.71 ± 0.2 P < 0.0001), and to controls at 12 months (3.77 ± 0.07 vs 1.71 ± 0.2, P < 0.0001). Exercise tolerance improved in TMR patients over preoperative values, and was better than medication group scores after 12 months (490 ± 17 sec. vs 294 ± 12 sec., p = 0.0002). Conclusions. Holmium:YAG laser channeling of the myocardium improves function and reduces angina in advanced cardiac patients who lack alternative therapeutic options.