Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT): Study shows significant improvements in patients with refractory angina pectoris

What specific changes were seen in the patients treated?

Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) is one of the innovative non-invasive procedures in regenerative cardiac medicine. The aim of the therapy is to improve blood flow to the heart muscle and trigger the body’s own repair mechanisms.

A current clinical study – see link below – investigated the effectiveness of this method in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and refractory angina pectoris – i.e. in patients whose symptoms persist despite drug therapy. In the study, 65 patients were observed over a period of six months. The results show significant improvements both in the patients’ symptoms and in measurable cardiac parameters.

In the following, we explain some of the most important results of this study using graphics:

Significantly lower NT-proBNP value

The laboratory value NT-proBNP is an important marker for the strain on the heart. It typically rises when the heart is under pressure or heart failure is present. In the study, the NT-proBNP value fell on average by 57% – from around 942 pg/ml to 410 pg/ml. Such a change indicates that the heart is under less strain after CSWT treatment and that cardiac function can stabilize.

91 percent fewer angina attacks

A particularly important point for patients is the frequency of angina attacks – i.e. the typical chest pain caused by circulatory disorders of the heart muscle.

The study showed a particularly clear effect here:

• average of 6.26 seizures per week before treatment
• only 0.58 seizures per week after therapy

This corresponds to a reduction of around 91 percent.

For many patients, this means a significant improvement in quality of life, as pain, shortness of breath and stress problems occur much less frequently.

Improved resilience in the 6-minute walk test

Another important measurement is the so-called 6-minute walk test. This measures how far patients can walk within six minutes. This test gives a good impression of physical resilience.

After treatment with cardiac shock wave therapy, patients were able to walk an average of 107 meters further.

Before the therapy: 280 meters

After the therapy: 389 meters

This shows that CSWT can significantly improve physical performance.

Improved heart function (ejection fraction)

The pumping function of the heart also improved measurably.

The so-called ejection fraction – a key parameter for cardiac performance – increased on average from 37 percent to 41.6 percent in the study.

At the same time, ischemia of the heart muscle, i.e. areas with poor blood flow, also decreased.