title: [EDTA in the treatment of arteriosclerosis].
abstract: EDTA has been used since the early fifties in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. There are few serious complications connected with using therapeutic doses of EDTA, although numerous side effects can arise. Several theories exist which suggest that the drug has a positive effect on atheromatous plaque; no such effect has been proven in vivo. Many papers claim to show the positive effect of EDTA on angina pectoris and intermittent claudication, but only one double blind placebo controlled experiment has been reported. In a sample of 153 claudicatio intermittens patients, no significant improvement in the distance walked nor in the ankle/brachial-index was proven, nor did the patients themselves notice any improvement. A professional investigation of the treatment, carried out by Norwegian Health Authority in 1981, concluded by advising Norwegian physicians not to recommend this kind of treatment for their patients. Since then, no clinical documentation of the effect of the treatment has become available. It must therefore be regarded as ethically unsound practice to start such treatment, unless as part of a clinically controlled experiment.
authors.affiliation: Røst legekontor, Røstlandet.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mikaelsen
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004492:Edetic Acid
vernacular_title: EDTA i behandlingen av arteriosklerose.