Abstract
In an acute porcine myocardial ischemia model we examined the effect of transmyocardial
laser-revascularization (TMLR) on the regional micro perfusion and oxygen supply.
In clinical practice, contrast echocardiography is a reliable tool for the measurement
of changes in regional blood flow in the ischemic myocardium. We compared contrast
echocardiography with the laser Doppler measurement of micro perfusion and with the
quantification of regional tissue oxygen tension using a Clark electrode. 22 pigs
were randomised in the interventional group and 12 in the control group. Measurements
with all three methods were performed before and after occlusion of the first diagonal
branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery and, in the interventional
group, after TMLR. We investigated not only the effects in the dependent ischemic
myocardium, but also in two other myocardial areas, not involved in the coronary occlusion.
There was a significant effect of TMLR on regional micro perfusion and local oxygen
tension in the dependent ischemic myocardial area. Contrast echocardiography is a
successful experimental tool to measure changes in regional myocardial perfusion which
cannot be perceived using clinical imaging methods.
Key words
Contrast echocardiography - transmyocardial laser-revascularization - acute myocardial
ischemia - neoangiogenesis
References
2 laser.
Ann Thorac Surg.
1997;
63
1275-1283
Martin.C.Heidt@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
