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Transmyocardial Revascularization: Peril and PotentialDepartment of Cardiology, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
Department of Cardiology, Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, rohit.arora{at}va.gov Transmyocardial laser revascularization is a technique for the treatment of patients with chronic angina pectoris that is refractory to medical therapy and who are not eligible for surgical intervention. Percutaneous myocardial revascularization is a less-invasive catheter-based procedure that has been adapted from transmyocardial laser revascularization. Six prospective randomized clinical trials have been performed with transmyocardial laser revascularization and 5 have been performed using percutaneous myocardial revascularization. All of the transmyocardial laser revascularization and 4 of the percutaneous myocardial revascularization studies showed a significant improvement in angina class; however, results for improved survival, increased exercise tolerance, improved ejection fraction, and improved myocardial perfusion were less definitive. Transmyocardial laser revascularization has significant potential for morbidity and mortality. This article summarizes the results of the randomized trials, explains the current theories for the mechanism of transmyocardial laser revascularization, and discusses its current role in treatment for patients, considering the evidence that currently exists.
Key Words: angina pectoris transmyocardial revascularization percutaneous myocardial revascularization
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 12, No. 1,
44-53 (2007) |
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