A new study has shown that an implant can significantly reduce chest pain for people suffering from refractory angina. The research found that 75% of patients experienced a notable fall in chest pain within six months of receiving the device.
Refractory angina is a form of heart disease where symptoms persist despite conventional treatments such as medication, stents, and heart bypass surgery. An estimated 300,000 people in England are affected by this condition.
The small, hourglass-shaped coronary sinus reducer (CSR) device is implanted near the heart through keyhole surgery. It works by narrowing a vein at the back of the heart, redirecting blood flow to parts of the heart muscle that are oxygen-deprived.
The study, co-led by consultant cardiologist Dr Ranil de Silva, observed 491 individuals with refractory angina between 2014 and 2024. Of these, 474 had the implant fitted at 19 hospitals across England and Scotland. Most patients were able to return home on the day of the procedure or the day after, with serious complications being rare.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, a consultant cardiologist and the British Heart Foundation’s clinical director, stated that the findings are reassuring, indicating the device is delivered safely and leads to fewer symptoms for patients. She added that the device “offers hope for people living with this challenging condition.”
Despite the positive results, Dr de Silva noted that more trials are required, and NHS funding approval is needed to expand access before the CSR can be considered a standard treatment.