Chronic refractory angina pectoris treated by bilateral stereotactic radiosurgical stellate ganglion ablation: first-in-man case report

Background Refractory angina pectoris (AP) significantly impairs quality of life in patients with chronic coronary syndrome. Several minimally invasive methods (coronary sinus reducer, cell therapy, laser or shockwave revascularization, and spinal cord stimulation) or non-invasive methods (external counterpulzation) have been studied. However, their routine clinical use has not been widely implemented. Surgical or endoscopic sympathectomy is feasible for permanently relieving angina, but is often contraindicated due to the extent of complications associated with it. Neuromodulation by anaesthetic blockade of the left-sided stellate ganglion (SG) has been shown to relieve angina for days or weeks. To provide a long-term anti-anginal effect, novel pharmacological (phenol-based) or radiofrequency ablation techniques have been individually used to permanently destroy sympathetic pathways. Case summary We describe a first-in-man use of stereotactic radiosurgical SG ablation using a linear accelerator (CyberKnife) in a heart failure patient after myocardial infarction with chronic refractory AP. Repeated anaesthetic SG blockade in this patient resulted in a significant, but only short-term, clinical improvement. The left, and subsequently the right, SG was ablated by targeted irradiation. During the 1-year follow-up, the patient remained without angina. We did not observe any clinically relevant early or late complications. Atrial fibrillation that developed 2 months after the second procedure was deemed to be associated with a natural progression of co-existing heart failure. Discussion We conclude that stereotactic radiosurgical SG ablation has the potential to become a minimally invasive and low-risk procedure to treat refractory angina patients. However, this procedure needs to be evaluated in larger patient populations.

Cardiac Shock Wave Therapy Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia in Patients With Chronic Refractory Angina Pectoris: A Randomized Trial

Background: Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is a non-invasive new option for the treatment of chronic refractory angina pectoris (CRAP). This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of CSWT in the treatment of CRAP.Methods: Eighty-seven patients with CRAP were randomly allocated into CWST group (n = 46) and Control group (n = 41). Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) grade of angina pectoris, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) score, 6-min walk test (6MWT), weekly dosage of nitroglycerin, and myocardial perfusion on D-SPECT were determined at baseline and during the follow-up period. Adverse events were also evaluated.Results: CSWT was well-tolerated in the CSWT patients. CSWT significantly improved the CCS grade, SAQ score, and 6MWT (p < 0.05). Imaging examinations showed that the ischemic area was reduced after CSWT. However, no significant changes were observed in the Control group.Conclusions: CSWT may improve the myocardial perfusion and reduce clinical symptoms without increasing adverse effects in CRAP patients. It provides a non-invasive and safe clinical therapy for CRAP patients.Clinical Trial registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03398096.

Summary of Zhang Hongxing's Experience in Treating Refractory Angina Pectoris with Traditional Chinese Medicine

As a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) expert in Shandong province and a famous veteran TCM expert in Dezhou city, Zhang Hongxing has been engaged in cardiovascular clinical work for more than 30 years. He has unique experience in the treatment of refractory angina pectoris. This paper comprehensively explains from the aspects of etiology and pathogenesis. His treatment is mostly based on syndrome differentiation, combined with the basic pharmacology of modern Chinese medicine to formulate prescriptions and drugs, and at the same time values the use of insect drugs. We hereby attach the clinical records, hoping to provide reference for clinical workers, which is conducive to the inheritance and development of famous Chinese medical academic experience.

Coronary artery bypass grafting with concurrent transmyocardial laser revascularization

An increasing number of patients suffer from chronic and unremitting angina pectoris that severely impacts their quality of life. The use of traditional techniques, such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery, may not provide complete revascularization in up to 25% of patients due to the severe and diffuse nature of coronary artery disease. Transmyocardial laser revascularization has emerged as a feasible surgical modality for patients with refractory angina pectoris who have exhausted standard medical and interventional options. Based on the cumulative clinical evidence, transmyocardial laser revascularization plus coronary artery bypass grafting has been shown to provide significant symptomatic relief against angina and improve overall outcomes. As a result, the use of adjunctive transmyocardial laser revascularization with coronary artery bypass grafting is warranted in select patients not amenable to complete myocardial revascularization with conventional interventions.

Short-term and long-term results of intracoronary introduction of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in exertional angina pectoris

Purpose is to study the effectiveness of intracoronary introduction application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC’s) in refractory angina pectoris.Material and methods. The study was based on the results founded by the investigation, treatment and dynamic follow-up results of 30 patients with refractory angina pectoris who underwent the stationary therapy in the department of Urgent and Recovery Cardiac surgery of SI «Institute of Urgent and Recovery Surgery named after V.K. Gusak of NAMS of Ukraine» from 2007 till 2014. We formed 2 groups; each of them included 15 patients: in the first group (a control one), the patients received only medicamental therapy; the second group received intracoronary administration of autologous MSC’s. According to NYHA (New York Heart Association) classification, all the patients had II-IV functional class of chronic heart failure (CHF). All the patients earlier went through the different revascularization surgeries. Mesenchymal autologous bone marrow stem cells were received according to the standard method in the laboratory of cellular and tissue cultivation of SI «Institute of Urgent and Recovery Surgery named after V.K. Gusak of NAMS of Ukraine». Using the local anesthesia with catheter application in the coronary vessel mouth was implemented a transplant in the dose of 10 million cells.Results. During the control examination, a clinical improvement was observed in all the patients; it was expressed in the quality of life increase according to the Minnesota Questionnaire (MLHFQ); in a decrease of heart failure grade according to NYHA, and tolerance growth to physical exercise during the treadmill test. The maximal effect, by the way, was developed in month and had been holding on during the 9-12 months. Thus if the quality of life before applying the transplantation of autologous MSC was 58+1,8 points; after the 3 months this rate was 32±2,2 points (by p<0,05); but after the I year, it was 37±2,1 points and was progressively decreased in the future. During the ultrasound imaging in the first group was mentioned decrease of left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF) till 23,2±5,2% during the whole study; in the second group, it was observed an EF increase from 31,2±7,1 to 37,4±5,2% by p<0,05 and to the deadline of 6 months it began to decrease. In this period of time the patients reduced the doses of taken medicines; it was mentioned tolerance intensification to the physical exercises that we approved with the help of treadmill test. During the cardiac mapping with the help of navigation system CARTO XP we observed that in 6 months the amplitude of unipolar signal increased from 7,8-8,7 MB to 9,0-9,4 MB in the front-lateral zone; and from 5,3-12,0 to 7,9-14,1 MB in the b posteroseptal correspondingly; it tells about the improvement of electromechanical association and improvement of working function as well as myocardium perfusion. In three years during the control investigation, it was mentioned a negative dynamics in comparison with the baseline results. Conclusions. As we see, the first experience of intracoronary introduction of autologous MSC in patients with refractory angina pectoris showed the raise of myocardium functional reserve that was reflected in the improvement of life quality; reduction of antianginal agent doses; raise of LV EF; as well as in the amplitude of unipolar myocardium signal increase in the MSC introduction zone.