title: A study to assess changes in myocardial perfusion after treatment with spinal cord stimulation and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation; data from a randomised trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and percutaneous myocardial laser revascularisation (PMR) are treatment modalities used to treat refractory angina pectoris, with the major aim of such treatment being the relief of disabling symptoms. This study compared the change in myocardial perfusion following SCS and PMR treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with Canadian Cardiovascular Society class 3/4 angina and reversible perfusion defects as assessed by single-photon emission computed tomographic myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were randomised to SCS (34) or PMR (34). Twenty-eight subjects in each group underwent repeat myocardial perfusion imaging 12 months post intervention. Visual scoring of perfusion images was performed using a 20-segment model and a scale of 0 to 4.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (standard deviation) baseline summed rest score (SRS) and stress scores (SSS) were 4.6 (5.7) and 13.6 (9.0) in the PMR group and 6.1 (7.4) and 16.8 (11.6) in the SCS group. At 12 months, SRS was 5.5 (6.0) and SSS 15.3 (11.3) in the PMR group and 6.9 (8.2) and 15.1 (10.9) in the SCS group. There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups adjusted for baseline (p = 1.0 for SRS, p = 0.29 for SSS).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant difference in myocardial perfusion one year post treatment with SCS or PMR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Papworth Hospital, Papworth Everard, Cambridge, UK. peter.schofield@papworth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Sadia N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Duncan C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McNab
authors.forename: Linda D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Sharples
authors.forename: Carol J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schofield