skip to content
Dovepress - Open Access to Scientific and Medical Research
View our mobile site

8129

Effectiveness of percutaneous laser revascularization therapy for refractory angina

Review

(1238) Views  (373) Full article downloads

Authors: Michael McGillion, Allison Cook, J Charles Victor, et al

Published Date August 2010 Volume 2010:6 Pages 735 - 747
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S8222

Michael McGillion1, Allison Cook2, J Charles Victor3, Sandra Carroll2, Julie Weston1, Kevin Teoh4, Heather M Arthur2

1University of Toronto, 3Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; 2McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada; 4Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Abstract: Refractory angina is a debilitating disease characterized by persistent cardiac pain resistant to all conventional treatments for coronary artery disease. Percutaneous myocardial laser revascularization (PMLR) has been proposed to improve symptoms in these patients. We used meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of PMLR versus optimal medical therapy for improving angina symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQL), and exercise performance; the impact on all-cause mortality was also examined. Seven trials, involving a total of 1,213 participants were included. Our primary analyses showed that at 12-month follow-up, those who had received PMLR had ≥2 Canadian Cardiovascular Society class angina symptom reductions, OR 2.13 (95% CI, 1.22 to 3.73), as well as improvements in aspects of HRQL including angina frequency, SMD = 0.29 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.52), disease perception, SMD = 0.37 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.61), and physical limitations, SMD = 0.29 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.53). PMLR had no significant impact on all-cause mortality. Our secondary analyses, in which we considered data from one trial that featured a higher-dose laser group, yielded no significant overall impact of PMLR across outcomes. While PMLR may be effective for improving angina symptoms and related burden, further work is needed to clarify appropriate dose and impact on disease-specific mortality and adverse cardiac events.

Keywords: refractory angina, percutaneous laser revascularization, angina symptoms, ­health-related quality of life, meta-analysis
  • Join ISVH

    Be part of the World's leading experts in vascular health by joining the International Society of Vascular Health (ISVH)

  • Testimonials

    "... I was impressed at the rapidity of publication from submission to final acceptance." Dr Edwin Thrower, PhD, Yale University