Angiogenesis three months after clinical transmyocardial laser revascularization using an excimer laser

Background and Objective: We present for the first time histologic findings 3 months after clinical transmyocardial laser revascularization using a Xe Cl excimer laser. Study Design/Patients and Methods: Histology was performed on a patient who died from a noncardiac cause 3 months post-excimer TMLR. Results: In the treated myocardium, no patent channels were found but scars were seen with a linear distribution and in continuity with circumscribed small fibrotic endocardial and epicardial scars. The scars were highly vasc ularized by new vessels, ranging from small capillaries to large thin walle d, and sometimes branching ectatic vessels. Sprouting of vessels into the a djacent myocardium was also observed. Conclusion: These results suggest that angiogenesis might play a role in th e clinical improvement after TMLR. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.