title: Laser biostimulation in end-stage multivessel coronary artery disease--a preliminary observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-energy laser radiation through its direct influence on tissue repair processes without heating effect may have vital importance in the therapy of patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The introductory assessment of the effects of laser biostimulation applied to patients with advanced multivessel CAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  39 patients with advanced CAD were assigned (mean age 64.8+/-9.6, male gender 64%, CCS class 2.5+/-0.5, EF=46+/-11%, 69% with a history of acute myocardial infarction), to undergo two sessions of irradiation of low-energy laser light on skin in the chest area from helium-neon B1 lasers. The time of irradiation was 15 minutes while operations were performed 6 days a week for one month. Before including the patients in the experimental group a full clinical evaluation, basic biochemical tests, ECG, 24h Holter recordings, 6-minute walk test, treadmill test using Bruce protocol and full echocardiographic examination were performed. After the first and second period of laser therapy with a one-month break between them analogical parameters with the initial examination were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No side effects associated with the laser biostimulation or performed clinical tests were noted. Lower CCS class (2.5+/-0.5 --> 2.2+/-0.4 --> 2.0+/-0.4, p<0.001), higher exercise capacity (5.1+/-2.2 --> 5.8+/-2.2 --> 6.6+/-2.5 [METS], p=0.023), longer exercise time (257+/-126 --> 286+/-127 --> 325+/-156 [s], p=0.06), less frequent angina symptoms during the treadmill test (65% --> 44% --> 38%, p=0.02), longer distance of 6-minute walk test (341+/-93 --> 405+/-113 --> 450+/-109 [m], p <0.001), lower systolic blood pressure values (SP 130+/-14 --> 125+/-12 --> 124+/-14 [mmHg], p=0.05) and trend towards less frequent 1 mm ST depression lasting 1 min during Holter recordings were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An improvement of functional capacity and less frequent angina symptoms during exercise tests without a significant change in the left ventricular function were observed. Laser biostimulation in short-term observation was a very safe method. These encouraging results should be confirmed in a larger, placebo-controlled study.
authors.affiliation: II Katedra i Klinika Kardiologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego, ul. Kniaziewicza 1/5, Łódź.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zyciński
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krzemińska-Pakuła
authors.forename: Cezary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peszyński-Drews
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kierus
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trzos
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rechciński
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Figiel
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurpesa
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plewka
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chrzanowski
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drozdz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography