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Shock Wave Application to Cell Cultures
Published on: April 8, 2014
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy for ischemic cardiovascular disorders
Kenta Ito1, Yoshihiro Fukumoto, Hiroaki Shimokawa
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan. ito-kenta@cardio.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Summary
Extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy shows promise for severe ischemic heart disease. This non-invasive treatment improves symptoms and myocardial perfusion by promoting new blood vessel growth.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease is a leading cause of death globally.
- Current treatments for severe ischemic heart disease are limited.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal cardiac shock wave (SW) therapy for severe ischemic heart disease.
- To investigate the angiogenic potential of low-energy SW therapy.
- To explore SW therapy as a non-invasive treatment for cardiovascular ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Low-energy extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy was applied in animal models (pigs, rabbits) and human clinical trials.
- Studies assessed VEGF expression, neovascularization, myocardial perfusion, and clinical symptoms.
- Clinical trials included open-label and placebo-controlled, double-blind designs.
Main Results:
- SW therapy up-regulated VEGF expression and induced neovascularization in animal models.
- In patients with severe coronary artery disease, SW therapy improved symptoms, exercise capacity, and myocardial perfusion.
- No procedural complications or adverse effects were observed in any study.
Conclusions:
- Extracorporeal cardiac SW therapy is a safe and effective non-invasive angiogenic approach for cardiovascular diseases.
- This therapy holds potential for treating severe ischemic heart disease and other ischemic conditions.
- Further clinical studies are ongoing for acute myocardial infarction and peripheral artery disease.
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