The "hybrid" approach for revascularisation: direct myocardial revascularisation and coronary angioplasty.

We report the cases of two patients where catheter-based laser direct myocardial revascularisation has been coupled with conventional coronary angioplasty at the same sitting using the Biosense left ventricular electromechanically guided laser procedure. In both the cases, the non-revascularizable ischaemic target zone was identified using left ventricular electromechanical mapping signals, and Ho: YAG laser channels were placed at the designated target lesion following successful coronary stenting. The results did not show any procedural complications. This preliminary report suggests the feasibility and safety of this "hybrid" percutaneous approach for myocardial revascularisation.