Transmyocardial revascularization--late results and mechanisms of action

Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has been used in over 500 patients to relieve severe angina when all other measures failed: two different lasers were used in the study. Each has been successful, but, in the author's experience, the Carbon Dioxide laser has given better relief of angina and increase in perfusion than the Holmium-YAG laser. Based on these clinical observations, the probable mechanism of action is stimulation of vascular neogenesis plus improved distribution of the available blood supply.