ABSTRACT
A small non-quantified number of patients is reported to be affected by forms of angina pectoris already treated by traditional therapy but no longer able to achieve better results by drugs or surgery: this is called "refractory angina". Treatments like external counterpulsation, transmyocardial laser revascularization, stem cell transplantation or spinal cord stimulation may be suitable for these patients. The analysis of major studies on spinal cord stimulation based on exercise ECG, Holter monitoring and positron emission tomography, has shown a reduction in anginal attacks and in nitroglycerin pills. Though in small figures, an improved perfusion of the ischemic areas, an increase in the time of ischemia and cardiac mortality comparable to bypass surgery as well as a better quality of life and lower costs with respect to traditional treatment are also evident. Patients who are at high risk of mortality for bypass surgery, and who cannot receive significant benefits from revascularization or improved pharmacological therapy are candidate to spinal cord stimulation. Spinal cord stimulation is safe and effective in about 70% of patients. Some issues have not been investigated yet: the clinical characteristics of "non-responders" and the possibility of avoiding sudden cardiac death in stimulated patients.
Subject(s)
Angina Pectoris/therapy , Electric Stimulation Therapy , Spinal Cord , Aged , Angina Pectoris/diagnostic imaging , Angina Pectoris/drug therapy , Angina Pectoris/economics , Angina Pectoris/mortality , Angina Pectoris/surgery , Clinical Trials as Topic , Coronary Artery Bypass , Echocardiography , Electric Stimulation Therapy/instrumentation , Electric Stimulation Therapy/methods , Electrocardiography , Electrocardiography, Ambulatory , Electrodes, Implanted , Epidural Space , Exercise Test , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nitroglycerin/administration & dosage , Nitroglycerin/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Spinal Cord/physiology , Time Factors , Tomography, Emission-Computed , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The use of herbal medications is becoming ever more widespread, but data for them are not yet as robust as for conventional drugs. The available safety information indicates that potential side effects of such use can be due to allergic reactions and bleeding. In this report, a case of frequent ventricular arrhythmias probably due to Ginkgo biloba is presented. The patient complained of palpitations twice in a month and on both occasions symptoms and electrocardiographic evidence of ventricular arrhythmias resolved with discontinuation of Ginkgo biloba. This case underlines that continuing research is needed to elucidate the pharmacological activities of the many herbal remedies now being used.