Histologic appearance of transmyocardial laser channels after 4 1/2 weeks.

Preliminary results of clinical studies suggest that transmyocardial laser revascularization is an effective treatment for patients with chronic angina that cannot be treated by other means. The mechanism of this effect remains controversial. We present autopsy results from a patient obtained 4 1/2 weeks after operation that show that the channels do not maintain patency. Further work is needed to determine the frequency of channel patency and its relation to clinical benefit.