Symptomatic improvement after transmyocardial laser revascularization: how long does it last?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine whether short-term clinical improvement after isolated transmyocardial holmium laser revascularization (TMLR) in patients with coronary artery disease not amenable to traditional treatment is maintained through a longer follow-up.


METHODS
Between November 1995 and June 1999 34 patients underwent TMLR (mean age, 67+/-7 years); previous revascularization procedures had been performed in 76%. Preoperatively, mean angina class was 3.6+/-0.5 in 12 patients with unstable angina; mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 47%+/-9%.


RESULTS
There was 1 early death due to low cardiac output. Mean duration of TMLR and of the entire operation was 25+/-12 minutes and 125+/-43 minutes, respectively. There were no major postoperative complications; mean hospital stay was 8+/-4 days. There were 8 late deaths caused by stroke (2 patients), cardiac failure (1 patient), and myocardial infarction (5 patients). Follow-up of current survivors ranges from 4 to 48 months (mean, 32+/-12 months). At 1-year follow-up mean angina class was 1.8+/-0.8; but at a later follow-up (mean, 35+/-10 months) it significantly increased to 2.2+/-0.7 (p = 0.005). Three-year actuarial survival was 76%+/-8% and freedom from cardiac events 44%+/-10%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that after initial clinical improvement many patients experience return of angina or cardiac events; this questions the long-term symptomatic benefit of TMLR.
De Carlo
M
M
CardioThoracic Department, University of Pisa, Italy.
Milano
A D
AD
Pratali
S
S
Levantino
M
M
Mariotti
R
R
Bortolotti
U
U
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome