A canine trial using transventricular laser channel

Revascularization of ischemic myocardium by Nd: YAG laser channels was studied in 33 dogs with myocardial infarction. The dogs were separated into epi- and endo-cardial (percutaneous and intraoperative) groups. Laser channels with a diameter of 400 microns were made by 6.7-6.8 watt lasersonics Nd: YAG unit. Then the dogs were killed and core samples of myocardium from the laser area were taken as planned. Evaluation includes pre- and post-operative echocardiography and radionuclide scanning to measure left ventricular (LV) function and regional blood flow. Improved LV function and increased uptake of radionuclides were demonstrated. There was no operative mortality. The histologic evidences of reconstructed myocardial microcirculation and communications with myocardial channels by laser were also reported.