Why the study?
Lasers are barely used in atrial fibrillation and their effects in cardiac surgery, including AV-node block and myocardial coagulation, require further exploration.
This review highlights the potential mechanisms and applications of laser technology in cardiac surgery, including arrhythmia management and transmyocardial laser revascularization.
Does not support routine clinical adoption; leaves open potential roles in AF ablation and TMR for prospective trials.
With lasers tissue can be removed or coagulated. Laser coagulation has the same effect as radiofrequency or microwave applications. So far lasers are barely used in atrial fibrillation but it has been shown that a total block of the AV-node or a change of the PQ-time are possible with a percutaneous laser-catheter. Also the myocard can be coagulated if the laser radiation is delivered through the mitral valve without any damage to it. Short pulsed lasers produce shockwaves and thus mechanical injury to tissue. This mechanical damage to the myocard along with a controlled coagulation may lead to an interpretation of the effectiveness of TMLR.
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Dörschel et al. (1999) conducted a review in Cardiac surgery. Laser therapy was evaluated.
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