Original article Laser biostimulation in end-stage multivessel coronary artery disease – a preliminary observational study

Abstract

Background: Low-energy laser radiation through its direct influence on tissue repair processes without heating effect may have vital importance in the therapy of patients with advanced coronary arery disease (CAD).
Aim: The introductory assessment of the effects of laser biostimulation applied to patients with advanced multivessel CAD.
Methods: 39 patients with advanced CAD were assigned (mean age 64.8±9.6, male gender 64%, CCS class 2.5±0.5, EF=46±11%, 69% with a history of acute myocardial infarction), to undergo two sessions of irradiation of low-energy laser light on skin in the chest area from helium-neon B1 lasers. The time of irradiation was 15 minutes while operations were performed 6 days a week for one month. Before including the patients in the experimental group a full clinical evaluation, basic biochemical tests, ECG, 24h Holter recordings, 6-minute walk test, treadmill test using Bruce protocol and full echocardiographic examination were performed. After the first and second period of laser therapy with a one-month break between them analogical parameters with the initial examination were measured.
Results: No side effects associated with the laser biostimulation or performed clinical tests were noted. Lower CCS class (2.5±0.5 → 2.2±0.4 → 2.0±0.4, p<0.001), higher exercise capacity (5.1±2.2 → 5.8±2.2 → 6.6±2.5 [METS], p=0.023), longer exercise time (257±126 → 286±127 → 325±156 [s], p=0.06), less frequent angina symptoms during the treadmill test (65% → 44% → 38%, p=0.02), longer distance of 6-minute walk test (341±93 → 405±113 → 450±109 [m], p <0.001), lower systolic blood pressure values (SP 130±14 → 125±12 → 124±14 [mmHg], p=0.05) and trend towards less frequent 1 mm ST depression lasting 1 min during Holter recordings were noted.
Conclusions: An improvement of functional capacity and less frequent angina symptoms during exercise tests without a significant change in the left ventricular function were observed. Laser biostimulation in short-term observation was a very safe method. These encouraging results should be confirmed in a larger, placebo-controlled study.