Effects of thoracic epidural analgesia on exercise-induced myocardial ischaemia in refractory angina pectoris

Background Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEDA) was offered to patients with refractory angina pectoris. Our primary objectives were to evaluate TEDAs ' influence on quality of life (QoL, base for power analysis), and hypothesising that TEDA with bupivacaine during 1 month counteracts exercise-induced myocardial hypoperfusion and increase physical performance. Methods Patients with refractory angina and exercise inducible hypoperfusion, as demonstrated by myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), were randomised to 1-month treatment with TEDA with bupivacaine (B-group, n = 9) or saline (P-group, n = 10) in a double-blind fashion. MPI and bicycle ergometry were performed before TEDA and after 1 month while subjective QoL on a visual analogue scale (VAS) reported by the patients was checked weekly. Results During this month VAS (mean [95%CI]) increased similarly in both groups (B-group from 33 [18-50] to 54 [30-78] P P < 0.05). The B-group reduced their exertional-induced myocardial hypoperfusion (from 32% [12-52] to 21% [3-39]; n = 9; P < 0.05), while the P-group showed no significant change (before 21% [6-35]; at 1 month 23% [6-40]; n = 10). MPI at rest did not change and no improvement in physical performance was detected in neither of the groups. Conclusions In refractory angina, TEDA with bupivacaine inhibits myocardial ischaemia in contrast to TEDA with saline. Regardless of whether bupivacaine or saline is applied intermittently every day, TEDA during 1 month improves the quality of life and reduces angina, even when physical performance remains low. A significant placebo effect has to be considered.