FDA gives Acculase green light for TMR tests

17 Jun 2002

The Food and Drug Administration has granted approval for human trials of the Acculase excimer-laser-based transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) procedure. The first test of the San Diego-based company's procedure will take place at New York Hospital in September, with a total of 30 to be done there and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. The TMR technique uses the laser to create channels thorough the heart-wall muscles, allowing oxygen-rich blood from inside main pumping chambers to flow directly into oxygen-deprived areas of the heart muscle.