Transmyocardial
Revascularization (TMR)
Why is the doctor performing this surgery?
To relieve chronic chest pain (angina).
What is the surgery?
Transmyocardial Revascularization is a laser surgery that
stimulates blood vessel growth, thereby decreasing chest pain
due to inadequate oxygen supply reaching the heart muscle
itself. TMR is usually performed in conjunction with bypass
surgery (CABG) on individuals with blood deprived heart
muscle. The surgeon may create
20-40 new channels, each 1 millimeter wide, in the muscular
wall of the left ventricle using a laser. These new channels
stimulate angiogenesis, which is the natural growth of new
blood vessels within the heart muscle.
Where is the surgery performed?
In the Operating Room (OR), under general anesthesia.
How long does this surgery take?
TMR usually takes 1-2 hours to perform if this is the sole
procedure being done. It may only take minutes if being performed
as part of a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) procedure.
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