Double-blind and placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy for severe angina pectoris.

Background: Low-energy shock wave (SW) therapy has improved myocardial ischemia in both a porcine model and in patients with severe angina pectoris.

Methods And Results: To further confirm the effectiveness and safety of SW therapy, 8 patients with severe angina pectoris were treated with SW therapy in a double-blind, placebo-controlled and cross-over manner. SW therapy, but not placebo, significantly improved chest pain symptoms and cardiac function without any complications or adverse effects.

Conclusions: Extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy is an effective, safe and non-invasive therapeutic option for severe angina pectoris.