Neurostimulation system for chronic angina receives CE mark

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St Jude Medical announced on 11 March, 2009 European CE mark approval of its Genesis neurostimulation system for managing chronic angina.

Approximately the size of a stopwatch, this neurostimulation system helps to control angina pain by sending mild pulses of electricity from a device implanted in the torso via thin insulated wires called leads to nerves located along the spinal cord.


“While the stimulator will help mask the pain of angina, studies have shown that neurostimulation will not mask the pain of a heart attack,” said Dr Mike JL DeJongste, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. “This therapy is designed to provide relief for those patients who suffer from chronic angina that does not respond sufficiently to optimal medication and revascularisation treatments.”


A study published in Heart found that neurostimulation was effective at reducing angina and the need for nitrate medications to treat it. In the study, angina patients who used neurostimulation several times a day had 86% fewer episodes of angina and lowered their nitrate use by 89% compared to periods in which they received placebo treatment.


“People living with chronic angina often face a poor quality of life due to constant or recurring physical pain and loss of social function,” said Professor Clas Mannheimer, Östra Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. “Neurostimulation provides a minimally invasive treatment option for managing this painful condition.”


In addition to chronic angina, the Genesis neurostimulation system is approved for treating chronic neuropathic pain of the trunk and limbs and pain from back surgeries that have failed. Patients can obtain more information about neurostimulation pain therapies at www.PowerOverYourPain.com.


The Genesis neurostimulation system has not been approved in the USA for the treatment of chronic angina.