Extracorporeal shockwave myocardial revascularisation
Myocardial revascularisation
ESMR is a new non-invasive therapy approach using extracorporeal shockwaves. Patients with advanced end stage coronary artery disease frequently have recurrent angina and in many such cases the disease becomes too diffuse and extensive to be treated by conventional revascularisation techniques. Surgical and interventional options for these patients have typically been exhausted or result in only partial revascularisation. ESMR offers new hope for these patients and provides an additional therapeutical approach. Recent studies have shown that the application of low-intensity shockwaves may induce the release of angiogenesis-mediating growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell antinuclear antigen (PCNA). Additional investigation of low energy shock wave treatment in animals and with a limited number of human patients have shown that the approach may indeed induce myocardial angiogenesis, improve myocardial perfusion and reduce systems in patients with endstage CAD. The ESMR treatment itself is carried out using a shockwave generator that is designed to address the unique clinical-anatomical requirements of the chest cavity. A cardiac ultrasound imaging system is used to locate the treatment area and to map the exact position and extent of the ischaemic zone. Shockwaves are then delivered via the anatomical acoustic window to the treatment area under ECG R-wave gating.
Medispec Ltd.
