Chelation was used in the 1930s and 40s to treat lead poisoning, but it still has widespread following by people who use complimentary and alternative therapies. More than one million patients have received 20 million infusions over the last year, according to complimentary and alternative medicine estimates.
Case studies published between the 1950s and 1990s demonstrate that chelation may be an effective therapy for heart disease, but very few randomized, placebo-controlled studies have been done on chelation, said Dr. Michael Davidson, director of Preventive Cardiology at Rush University Medical Center.
The Rush study, called Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT), is a five-year randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial designed to test the effects of chelation and high dose antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplementation versus a low dose regimen. To qualify, patients must be over the age of 50 and have documented a heart attack more than six weeks prior to enrollment. Patients who have had chelation therapy within the last five years or have had a history of allergic reaction to chelation therapy are not eligible.
Once enrolled in the study, patients will receive 30 weekly infusions of either the chelation solution or placebo, followed by 10 additional infusion sessions that will be scheduled every other week and either high dose or low dose vitamin regimen
To enroll, call 888-644-6226.
Contact: Chris Martin
cmartin@rush.edu
312-942-7820
Rush University Medical Center
6-May-2004