Laser therapy prior to treatment by stenting for blocked heart arteries

INTERVENTION: Prior to presentation at the Launceston General Hospital for elective percutaneous coronary stenting patients will be offered the opportunity to participate in the trial. If they consent they will be randomised to receive either active cutaneous laser therapy (photobiomodulation) or a placebo treatment 1‐3 hours prior to their stenting procedure. The active group will receive laser applied using an Irradia Mid‐Laser 808. The wavelength of the laser is 808nm with a maximum power output of 500mW. 6J (500mW x 6 seconds) of energy will be applied to 5 points over the heart, 30J (300mW x 50 seconds) to the right radial artery, 2J (150mW x 7 seconds) to the supraclavicular lymph nodes and 4J (300mW x 7 seconds) to 3 points on the sternum. Participants with tattoos over the site of application will have their sites moved to the nearest relevant location. CONDITION: Coronary artery disease PRIMARY OUTCOME: serum high sensitivity troponin SECONDARY OUTCOME: Cardiovascular death Hospital readmission Local side effects at laser sites The change in the proportion of patients with hs (high sensitivity) troponin levels of 25 or more, 30 or more and 80 or more between the prior‐to‐procedure and 24‐hours‐after measures The distribution of change in the proportion of patients with hs (high sensitivity) troponin levels of 40 or more between the prior‐to‐procedure and 24‐hours‐after measures; measured as median, interquartile range, plus 90th and 95th percentiles; with the difference in distribution tested by mixed effects ordered logistic regression INCLUSION CRITERIA: receiving elective coronary stenting/angioplasty