Study question: Does chelation therapy with EDTA impact exercise-induced ischemia or quality of life in patients with stable coronary artery disease?
Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial of 84 patients with stable angina (stable coronary artery disease) on the usual recommended medical therapy and significant electrocardiographic ST segment depression were studied. EDTA 40 mg/kg or placebo was adminis¬tered for three hours per treatment twice weekly for 15 weeks and then once monthly for three months. Male patients represented 84% of the study group, average age 65 years, multivessel disease was present in approximately 55%, 50% of patients were asymptomatic, and 60% had significant angina.
Results: At baseline there was no difference in the time of onset of ischemia on electrocardiographic treadmill testing. After treatment there was no difference to support a beneficial effect of calcium chelation therapy with EDTA. There was no difference in exercise time to induce ischemia on the treadmill and no difference in exercise capacity or quality of life.