[Indications, limits and future of epidural spinal cord electrical stimulation for coronary and peripheral artery disease].
The electrical stimulation of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord exerts a dual analgesic and vasodilatory effect on ischemic tissues. It is increasingly considered a valuable method to treat severe and otherwise intractable coronary and peripheral artery disease. The quality of the results depends from both a strict selection of the patients by vascular specialists and the frequency and quality of the follow-up controls. However the indications, limits, mode of action and results of spinal cord stimulation are still poorly understood. This article, based on a personal experience of 164 implantations for peripheral and coronary artery disease, aims to draw attention to this technique and to provide information on recent and future developments.
Gersbach
P
P
Service de chirurgie cardiovasculaire, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.
Gardaz
J P
JP
Ferrari
E
E
Haesler
E
E
von Segesser
L K
LK
D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D013116:Spinal Cord