Improvement of Cardiac Function in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: a Multicenter Clinical Study

Improvement of Cardiac Function in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy: a Multicenter Clinical Study

Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is a noninvasive new therapeutic option in the treatment of chronic refractory angina pectoris. Many domestic and international researches have revealed that CSWT contributes to revascularization by stimulating angiogenesis. We were aimed to evaluate the safety and efficiency of CSWT in the treatment of refractory angina.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients were 18 to 80 years old;
• Coronary angiography (CA) or multi-slice CT coronary angiography (CTCA) suggestive of moderate to severe coronary artery stenosis;
• Chest tightness, onset of shortness of breath, and poor exercise tolerance after receiving formal drug treatment (with or without stent or bypass graft);
• Hospitalized more than 2 times within 1 year due to the aforementioned problems;
• CCS angina grading higher than grade II, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-III;
• More than 1 month after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 1 month after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• AMI、PCI or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) within the 4 weeks prior to the study;
• History of heart transplantation;
• History of metal valve replacement surgery;
• Intra-cardiac thrombus;
• Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) < 30 % and unstable hemodynamics;
• Arrhythmia with a rate < 40 bpm or > 120 bpm;
• Skin ulceration or infection in the treatment area;
• Severe obstructive lung disease.