BACKGROUND: Silent ischemia is a strong predictor of unfavorable outcome in unstable angina pectoris. Dynamic continuous vector cardiography provides online detection of ischemic episodes. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been reported to have antianginal effects in patients with severe coronary artery disease and this is associated with a reduction in myocardial ischemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the applicability of TENS in patients with unstable angina in the coronary care unit and the effects on vector cardiographic and biochemical markers of ischemia. METHODS: Thirty patients (14 in the TENS group and 16 in a placebo group) were included in a single-blind, placebo-controlled study after being admitted to the coronary care unit. Continuous vector cardiography, leakage of cardiac enzymes and consumption of analgesics were recorded for 24 h. RESULTS: TENS was well tolerated and did not interfere with standard treatment, although vectorcardiographic recording during actual stimulation was disturbed. There was a reduction in the number of silent ischemic ST change vector magnitude episodes (p = 0.02) and their duration (p = 0.01) in the TENS-treated group, and a nonsignificant reduction in the total number of ST change vector magnitude (painful plus silent) episodes (p = 0.09) and their duration (p = 0.05) and in leakage of cardiac enzymes (p = 0.12). There were no detectable differences in terms of episodes of pain leading to stimulation or consumption of analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: TENS seems to be a safe additional treatment in unstable angina pectoris and may reduce the number of ischemic events, by mechanisms apparently unrelated to the reduction of pain.
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