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Subsequent Cardiac and Stroke Events in Patients with Known Vascular Disease Treated with EDTA Chelation Therapy

A Retrospective Study

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine

Abstract

Context

Myocardial infarction (MI) and strokes are leading causes of death in the US. Surgical and medical treatments can be helpful, but carry risks of morbidity and mortality.

Objective

To evaluate whether cardiac events were reduced for patients with known vascular disease who were treated with intravenous ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) chelation therapy.

Design

Retrospective study with a 3-year follow-up, compared with similar patient groups by use of meta-analysis.

Population and setting

A total of 220 consecutive patients with known vascular disease were treated with chelation therapy during 1992–2001. Eight outpatient centres were included: five from the US and one each from Denmark, the Netherlands and Brazil. Average patient age was 64 years, 72.3% were males and 18.2% were smokers. Average number of treatments was 58.

Main outcome measures

MI, stroke and death from any cause were primary outcome measures. Secondary measures were resolution of symptoms and need for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Results

According to the meta-analysis, expected outcomes in a 3-year follow-up period for 220 patients with coronary artery disease treated only with conventional therapies would be 15 MIs and six deaths. There were no deaths and no MIs in this group of patients who received chelation therapy. Four patients had strokes but recovered well. There were two angioplasties and six CABG procedures. Compared with similar patient populations treated with conventional therapies, patients who also were chelated had a 93.6% lesser need for angioplasty and a 62.5% reduced need for CABG. Of the patients that initiated treatment with symptoms, 68.7% had complete resolution of symptoms.

Conclusions

This study indicates that the administration of intravenous EDTA chelation therapy for patients with vascular disease resulted in fewer subsequent cardiac events than primary treatment with CABG, angioplasty or conventional medical therapy. EDTA chelation therapy for vascular disease is a reasonable, off-label adjunct, especially for patients who refuse or are not eligible for surgery. Clinical trials such as the Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) are needed for definitive proof.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the following people who made major contributions to the gathering and organising of data for this project: Elizabeth Angus, Larry Mervine, Lisa Wellinghoff and Luo Junxiang.

The statistical analysis was performed by Rakesh Shukla, Professor of Biostatistics and Director of the Center for Biostatistical Services at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

We are grateful for financial support from the following organisations: American Institute of Medical Preventics, Frederick S. Upton Foundation, National Heart Council, Health Research Foundation, Foundation for Research and Development of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Gordon Research Institute, Trillium Health Center, Magnetico, Haelen Products, Apothecure Pharmacy, Douglas Labs and Longevity Plus.

None of the authors has any financial interest in companies that produce and sell EDTA, nor any potential conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the contents of this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. PO Box 248, Bluffton, Ohio, 45817, USA

    L. Terry Chappell (Private Practice)

  2. Center for Biostatistical Services, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Rakesh Shukla & Jun Yang

  3. Trillium Health Center, Lancaster, Ohio, USA

    René Blaha (Private Practice)

  4. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

    Tammy Born (Private Practice)

  5. Lyngby, Denmark

    Claus Hancke (Private Practice)

  6. Powell, Ohio, USA

    William Mitchell (Private Practice)

  7. Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Efrain Olszewer (Private Practice)

  8. Leede, The Netherlands

    Peter van der Schaar (Private Practice)

Authors
  1. L. Terry Chappell
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  2. Rakesh Shukla
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  3. Jun Yang
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  4. René Blaha
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  5. Tammy Born
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  6. Claus Hancke
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  7. William Mitchell
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  8. Efrain Olszewer
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  9. Peter van der Schaar
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  10. James Ventresco
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Terry Chappell.

Additional information

Deceased. Formerly in Private Practice, Youngstown, Ohio, USA

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Chappell, L.T., Shukla, R., Yang, J. et al. Subsequent Cardiac and Stroke Events in Patients with Known Vascular Disease Treated with EDTA Chelation Therapy. Evid-Based-Integrative-Med 2, 27–35 (2005). https://doi.org/10.2165/01197065-200502010-00007

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/01197065-200502010-00007

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