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Refractory angina is a growing challenge for palliative medicine: a systematic review of non-invasive interventions
  1. Iain Murphy1,2,
  2. Akshara Sivashankar3 and
  3. Amy Gadoud1,2
  1. 1 Palliative Medicine, Trinity Hospice & Palliative Care Services, Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  2. 2 Lancaster Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
  3. 3 GP Specialist Training Programme, North Western Deanery GPST School, Manchester, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Iain Murphy, Trinity Hospice & Palliative Care Services, Blackpool FY2 0BG, UK; iain.murphy{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Background Refractory angina can have a significant effect on quality of life. Non-invasive interventions have been suggested but there are few guidelines on management. Our aim was to systematically review all studies that reported non-invasive interventions for refractory angina and report on their effectiveness and safety.

Methods We performed a literature search of six databases and a grey literature search. Treatments considered first line or second line according to the European Society of Cardiology were excluded, as were interventions that had undergone review within the last 3 years. Design, setting and outcomes were extracted and quality was assessed. A narrative synthesis was undertaken, including an analysis of adverse effects.

Results 4476 studies were screened, 14 studies were included in our analysis. Interventions were specialist multidisciplinary programmes, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), perhexiline, medical optimisation, morphine and intranasal alfentanil. The effects of specialist programmes and perhexiline treatment were mixed. Positive effects were reported with TENS, opioids and medical optimisation, with improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity and quality of life. No major adverse effects were noted in any of the treatments.

Conclusion There are non-invasive treatments for refractory angina that are overlooked by current guidelines. While the quality of these studies varies, positive changes have been reported in symptoms, exercise tolerance and quality of life with few adverse effects. There is a need for further research into these treatments which could be useful within the contexts of cardiology and palliative care.

  • supportive care
  • symptoms and symptom management
  • chronic conditions
  • hospice care
  • quality of life

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Footnotes

  • Correction notice This article has been updated since it was first published. The article type has been changed to Systematic review.

  • Contributors IM and AG contributed to the study design. IM performed the searches, performed data analysis and wrote the article. IM and AS performed data collection. AG provided edits and comments on the manuscript and was responsible for approval of the final report as guarantor.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.