Spinal cord stimulation for refractory angina pectoris -a case report-

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neuromodulation
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Refractory angina pectoris (RAP) is characterized by chest pain unresponsive to optimal medical treatment and revascularization.
• Current treatment strategies for RAP remain inadequate, posing a significant clinical challenge.
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an emerging neuromodulatory technique for pain management.

Observation:

• A 40-year-old male patient with coronary artery disease presented with refractory angina pectoris.
• The patient underwent spinal cord stimulation, a minimally invasive procedure involving epidural electrode implantation.
• This case represents the first reported instance of SCS for RAP in South Korea.

Findings:

• Spinal cord stimulation demonstrated significant efficacy in alleviating chest pain in the patient with RAP.
• The SCS procedure was well-tolerated, indicating a favorable safety profile.
• Neuromodulation via SCS provided substantial relief from ischemic chest pain.

Implications:

• Spinal cord stimulation presents a promising, minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients with refractory angina pectoris.
• This case highlights the potential of SCS as a viable treatment for refractory angina, particularly in cases resistant to standard interventions.
• Further research and clinical application of SCS in South Korea could expand treatment possibilities for cardiovascular patients.