Intermittent Hypoxic Conditioning Suppresses Angina And Arrhythmias In Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease

Abstract

Intermittent hypoxic conditioning (IHC) greatly reduces ischemia‐reperfusion cardiac injury and arrhythmias in animal experiments. The present study evaluated clinical benefits of IHC in 53 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and extrasystolic arrhythmias. Twenty daily sessions of IHC were performed by alternately inspiring 10% O2 and atmospheric air for 3 min each (each hypoxic exposure 20–60 min/session). Twelve patients received sham IHT (inspiration of atmospheric air; SHAM). Thirteen patients received only drug therapy (CONT). ECG was monitored for 24 h before and after 20 days of respective therapy and at 3 months after IHC. All patients received standard medical therapy for IHD. Table shows % of patients with complete (CS) or partial (PS) suppression of arrhythmias and change in anti‐anginal medication (Δ Dose). Percent reduction in frequency of anginal attacks (#AA) and % reduction in AA duration are also reported.IHC produced no serious adverse effects, although initially IHC caused mild dizziness in 12% of patients and drowsiness in 31% of patients. Three months after IHC therapy, 88% of patients had no increase in arrhythmias or AA. Therefore IHC safely augments standard medical therapy for patients with IHD.