Refractory angina pectoris is defined as a chronic debilitating condition characterized by the presence of chronic anginal symptoms due to a severe obstructive and/or diffuse coronary artery disease that cannot be controlled by the combination of medical therapy and/or revascularization (percutaneous or surgical). In addition, the presence of myocardial ischemia as a cause of the symptoms must ...

BACKGROUND The aim of this paper was undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the management of refractory angina. METHODS We searched a number of electronic databases including Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library up to February 2008 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting exercise capacity, ischemic burden, functional c...

In the United States, there are about 17.6 million patients suffer from symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD), affecting 7.9% of adults ≥ 20 years of age.1 An estimated 10.2 million patients have angina, and 500,000 patients will develop new angina pectoris each year.1 A subset of angina patients are categorized as refractory when symptoms continue despite optimal medical therapy and revasc...

BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) with the capacity for proliferation and differentiation into mature endothelial cells, thus contributing to the angiogenic process. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the behavior of EPCs in patients with ischemic heart disease and refractory angina who received an intramyocardial injec...

Alongside the remarkable advances in medical and invasive therapies for the treatment of ischemic heart disease, an increasing number of patients with advanced coronary artery disease unsuitable for revascularization continue to suffer from angina pectoris despite optimal medical therapy. Patients with chronic angina have poor quality of life and increased levels of anxiety and depression. A co...

Despite sophisticated conventional medical treatment and the continued development and improvement of coronary revascularization modalities in recent years, a significant number of patients still suffer from refractory angina pectoris and cannot be successfully managed. Advances in therapeutic options have led to an increase in the average of life expectancy even in such no-option patients. Man...