U-clip anastomoses in coronary artery bypass grafting: initial clinical experience.

Background: Recent studies suggest that the U-Clip interrupted coronary artery anastomosis is superior to continuous suture. However, clinical experience with this device is limited.

Aim: To evaluate our initial clinical experience with the U-Clip technology.

Excimer versus carbon dioxide transmyocardial laser revascularization: effects on regional left ventricular function and perfusion.

Background: Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMR) has been established with the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The largely unstudied excimer laser creates channels through chemical bond dissociation instead of thermal ablation, thereby avoiding thermal injury. We sought to compare the effects of CO2 and excimer TMR in a porcine model of chronic ischemia.

LV-powered coronary sinus retroperfusion reduces infarct size in acutely ischemic pigs.

Background: We developed a prosthetic left ventricle (LV) to coronary sinus (CS) shunt (LVCSS) that is autoregulating and provides LV-powered retrograde perfusion of the coronary sinus.

Methods: Each of 20 Yorkshire pigs underwent 1 hour of left anterior descending diagonal artery occlusion followed by 3 hours of reperfusion. The controls (n = 5) did not have shunt treatment.

Combination TMR and gene therapy.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization is a promising surgical technique that relieves angina and improves subendocardial perfusion in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease refractory to medical management and not amenable to conventional revascularization techniques. We detail our laboratory experience at the Brigham and Women's Hospital with transmyocardial laser revascularization and discuss the potential clinical applications of this work.