Instrumental validation of percutaneous transmyocardial revascularization:Follow-up data at one year

Background. Despite the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transmyocardial r evascularization (PTMR), up to date there are still no instrumental validat ions to demonstrate both the improved perfusion of treated areas and cardia c function. Methods. During the first year of follow-up after PTMR, 27 patients (group A) underwent 99mTc MIBI exercise-single photon emission tomography (SPET), while 30 patients (group B) underwent serial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) evaluations with analysis of cardiac volumes and subendocardial laye r thickness in systole. Results. All 57 patients had a significant angina Canadian Cardiovascular S ociety (CCS) class improvement. Group A patients (75%) had improved exercis e-SPET perfusion in treated areas at 12 weeks after PTR IR, and at the next follow-up. Group B patients had non-significant reduction in global volume and no significant change in ejection fraction. However, there was an impr ovement in thickness of the subendocardial-treated areas in systole that pe rsisted during follow-up. Conclusions. The use of SPET and TTE validates the clinical efficacy of PTM R. (Ann Thorac Surg 2000;70:1115-8) (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Sur geons.