Try Transmyocardial Revascularization to Relieve Severe Angina

Severe angina or chest pain is treated is treated with Transmyocardial revascularization. In the process of the treatment holes are drilled outside the heart to improve the blood flow to the heart. What happens after that? Read more

This article covers

• The Transmyocardial Revascularization Procedure
• Preparation for Transmyocardial Revascularization
• Who Is the Right Candidate for TMR?
• Benefits of TMR Cardiac Treatments

Transmyocardial revascularization (also called TMR) is one way of providing relief for patients with severe angina or chest pain. Incisions are made which expose the heart. Holes are drilled on the outside of the heart with a carbon dioxide laser. The procedure improves blood flow to the heart. Cardiac catheterization will be used before the procedure, so that the doctor can see the coronary arteries.

The Transmyocardial Revascularization Procedure

Transmyocardial revascularization is done in hospital. It is a surgical procedure, where the heart is being operated on. It is often done in conjunction with a coronary artery bypass. An incision is made to open up the heart muscle. A CO2 laser then drills holes in the left ventricle of the heart. A computer is used to direct the laser to the areas where it needs to make the holes. The procedure usually takes between one and two hours. The patient will then need to stay in hospital for about four to seven days.

Preparation for Transmyocardial Revascularization

To prepare for the TMR procedure, a number of tests will need to be conducted first. Each TMR test will help the doctor assess the patient’s heart and decide how it should best be treated. The patient’s medical history will also be collected. Some of the tests performed before the procedure are:

• Physical examination. The doctor will focus on looking for signs of heart disease.
• Electrocardiogram. This records the heart’s activity and helps detect heart abnormalities and diseases.
• Echocardiogram. This uses sound waves to see the structures and functions of the heart. Echocardiogram results will show the heart’s thickness, size and function and will reveal any leakage or narrowing of the heart valves.
• Stress test. A stress test will show how the patient’s heart reacts under stress.
• Coronary angiogram. This test uses catheter to see where the blockages in the coronary arteries are, and how severe they are.
• Cardiac catheterization. This shows the coronary arteries and lets the doctor see if there are any blockages.
• Cardiac MRI. This will present the doctor with an image of your heart.

All these tests will help the doctor decide whether TMR is the right option for the patient. They will also help him assess the degree of the problem and how it can best be treated. The surgery is performed in the operating room of a hospital. It is conducted under general anesthesia.

Who Is the Right Candidate for TMR?

Transmyocardial laser revascularization is used for people with severe angina. TMR is used when the pain is having a big effect on their life, including limiting their activities and causing pain despite medication. Laser TMR is only beneficial when there is a decreased blood supply to the heart muscle which is causing the pain. It is mostly used when the patient has already had bypass surgery or angioplasty and cannot undergo anymore surgery or is unable to have any surgery to help their problem at all. It can be used when patients already have bypasses or can receive bypasses on some areas of the heart, but have other affected areas that can not be bypassed.

Continue to : Benefits of TMR Cardiac Treatments

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