Failure of chronic transmyocardial laser revascularization to alter cardiac nociceptive reflexes: implications for the treatment of angina pectoris.

The aim of this study was to assess the delayed effects of transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR) on cardiac nociceptors. Experiments were performed in anesthetized dogs 1 month after thoracotomy with either TMLR (n = 17) or sham laser procedure (n = 17). All dogs underwent sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy to isolate the sympathetic afferent system.