Introduction: Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) seems to be an alternative treatment for therapy-resistant angina pectoris. This report assesses the efficacy of SCS in improving quality of life (QoL) and influence on myocardial perfusion.
Material and methods: In the year 2004 seven patients with therapy-resistant angina pectoris were enrolled in a prospective study. The patients had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. Myocardial perfusion was evaluated in SPECT-MIBI prior to implantation and in the 3rd, 6th and 12th month after. Coronary reserve was assessed in an exercise test and QoL in a questionnaire.
Results: QoL improved in all patients within 3 months of the implantation. Coronary capacity increased in 2 patients and in 5 patients it stayed at the same level. Myocardial perfusion improved in 2 patients, deteriorated in 3 patients and in 2 it did not change.
Conclusions: SCS improves QoL. It seems not to influence myocardial perfusion.