Results of low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with refractory angina

Abstract

Introduction: Low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy has proven useful in the treatment of patients with refractory angina pectoris. Objective: To assess the results of this type of therapy in patients with refractory angina to drug treatment. Method: A quasi-experimental study was carried out in 30 patients with refractory angina pectoris to treatment, selected in a non-probabilistic way, taking into account the following inclusion criteria. All patients were applied low intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the Cardiocentro Ernesto Guevara of Santa Clara, in the period from January to December 2017. Epidemiological, clinical and echocardiographic variables were analyzed at the beginning of the treatment and six months after it was completed. Results: The results obtained demonstrated an improvement of the functional class (FC) of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS). Previous to treatment, 76.7% of patients had a FC III and 23.3% a FC IV, and after six months of completed therapy, 73.3% improved to FC II and only 26.7 % remained in FC III. There was also an improvement with respect to echocardiographic parameters such as regional motility and left ventricular ejection fraction, which, in men, of an average at the start of therapy of 37.81% it reached 44.14% at six months of completed; and in women, of an average of 37.11% initially, it reached 47.22 % six months later. Conclusions: The treatment with shock waves represents a therapeutic alternative for patients with refractory angina.